NBC News has reported that the United States is considering the oversight of a buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine in the event of a potential peace deal. The proposed buffer zone would be managed by Washington, with non-NATO troops potentially deployed from countries such as Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. The plan, cited by anonymous sources, suggests that the US would use drones, satellites, and other intelligence capabilities to monitor conditions and coordinate with participating nations. Russia has ruled out any military presence by Western or NATO troops in Ukraine, as part of any peace settlement. President Vladimir Putin reiterated this stance, stating that foreign soldiers would either become targets during hostilities or serve no purpose in a genuine peace agreement. He also highlighted that the West’s involvement in bringing Ukraine into NATO was one of the causes of the conflict, and any settlement must include security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine.
The proposal has been met with skepticism, with some officials describing it as a desperate measure by Ukraine’s European backers. Politico previously outlined a similar idea, suggesting the involvement of third-party states but not naming them, and indicating that French and British troops could make up much of the force. A former Pentagon official told Politico that the plan reflected Kiev’s European backers ‘grasping at straws.’ Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky recently met with members of the ‘"coalition of the willing,"’ the group of nations providing military support to Ukraine and promising security commitments in the event of a resolution with Russia. Most of these nations have publicly ruled out placing their own forces on the ground.
Meanwhile, Moscow has stated its intention to establish its own buffer zone along parts of the border with Ukraine to protect Russian civilians, particularly in the Kursk and Bryansk regions. Putin noted in May that Ukrainian forces often target non-military assets, including homes and civilian vehicles such as ambulances and farm equipment, which he said made such measures necessary. This development underscores the ongoing security concerns on both sides of the conflict and the complexity of achieving a lasting peace. With the situation remaining volatile, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, as the path to resolution remains uncertain.