Russia calls for Ukraine to be turned into a “buffer zone” after the war

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia wants Ukraine to become a “buffer zone” after the war ends and rejected any postwar solution under which the current government in Kyiv would remain in power.

In an appearance on state television, Lavrov argued that Moscow needs guarantees against future threats originating from Ukraine. He accused the authorities in Kyiv of maintaining an “aggressive, Russophobic and neo-Nazi regime” and said that Russia cannot accept its continuation.

The statements were made amid intensified diplomatic efforts, following a meeting in Moscow between Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The talks produced no significant progress, and the attacks resumed.

The idea of a buffer zone on the Russian-Ukrainian border has been promoted by the Kremlin for several years. Putin has publicly supported this concept since 2023, while Moscow has indicated that it seeks to retain the occupied territories and expand control over some Ukrainian regions.

Lavrov also rejected the idea of substantive peace negotiations at present, stating that Russia will continue the war until the West makes concessions. He criticized new Western proposals regarding an end to the conflict and accused Ukraine’s supporters of blocking peace agreements.