Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s comments on “buffer zones” as evidence that Russia itself obstructs peace efforts, as was reported on May 22 by Ukrainska Pravda.
MFA spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated: “These words visually prove that Putin himself is the obstacle to peace and that pressure must be increased on Russia and Putin in all forms to force a full, lasting ceasefire.”
He noted that similar remarks have been made previously but emerge now, when calls for a ceasefire grow, confirming that “the sole cause of the war is Putin himself.”
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Presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said Russia’s proposed security strips reveal Moscow’s unwillingness to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Earlier on May 21, it was reported that Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a so-called security buffer zone along the Russia–Ukraine border to be established by Russian Armed Forces across Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod regions. He declared, “A decision has been made to create a security buffer zone along the border…” and ordered forces to commence deployment.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
