President’s Office denies Le Monde report claiming Ukraine agreed to buffer zone in Donbas

Lytvyn reiterated remarks by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressing that a final decision on the issue can only be made at the highest political level or by Ukrainians themselves.

“Mykhailo [ed. — Podolyak] told them, in general terms, that many things can be discussed, but the question is always in the details — how this could work. Whether Ukraine has agreed or not can only be decided at the highest political level or by the Ukrainian people. The president said this to journalists yesterday,” Lytvyn added.

On Dec. 11, the French newspaper Le Monde reported that Ukraine was allegedly ready to consider creating a demilitarized zone in Donbas, which would involve both sides pulling troops back from the front line.

The outlet said such a zone could be monitored by international forces, including the United States, to prevent violations and ensure security.

Le Monde also reported that the proposal was part of a revised U.S. peace plan that European leaders had allegedly endorsed.

Zelenskyy said earlier that the U.S. peace plan предусматривает the withdrawal of Russian troops from parts of Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv oblasts, aside from unresolved issues related to Donetsk Oblast.

The Ukrainian president also said U.S. representatives have proposed making the non-occupied part of Donetsk Oblast a “free economic zone” under the peace plan.

On Dec. 8, AFP, citing an official familiar with the talks, reported that territorial issues remain the “most problematic” aspect of negotiations between Ukraine and the United States on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

On Dec. 9, Axios reported that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing pressure from the United States to agree to territorial losses and other concessions as part of the peace plan.