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Ukraine’s Presidential Office on 12 December dismissed claims in Le Monde that Kyiv had agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in Donbas, with communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn telling journalists the French outlet’s interpretation was incorrect.

The denial comes at a critical moment in US-brokered negotiations, where the question of Donbas territory remains the sharpest point of contention. Mykhailo Podoliak, head adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Kyiv Post that “the discussion is exclusively theoretical at this stage” and that “final decisions will, of course, be announced by the President of Ukraine.”

Le Monde claims Ukraine agreed to Donbas demilitarized zone

The French newspaper claimed Ukraine was ready to accept a demilitarized zone in Donbas as a major concession in peace talks. The outlet attributed the information to Podoliak and said the concession had been endorsed by European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The report said the zone would force withdrawal of both Ukrainian and Russian forces from the current front line and could fall under international supervision.

Kyiv says buffer zone talks remain theoretical

Lytvyn, the presidential communications adviser, told journalists that Podoliak had spoken only about “the theoretical possibility of discussing different security models,” according to Ukrainian news outlet RBC Ukraine. Everything depends on details, control mechanisms, and legal guarantees.

“Whether Ukraine agrees or does not agree can be decided only at the highest political level or by the people of Ukraine, as the president said to journalists yesterday,” Lytvyn added.

Podoliak himself clarified in his statement to Kyiv Post that while “all possible formats are being discussed, including a potential option of halting along the line of direct contact,” and such a format “theoretically includes the possibility of forming a so-called buffer (demilitarized) zone,” all of this “is currently being discussed only within the framework of security guarantees.”

Key points from Ukraine’s response to the Le Monde report:

• Presidential Office calls Le Monde interpretation “incorrect”
• Podoliak says buffer zone discussions are “exclusively theoretical”
• Final decisions rest with Zelenskyy or Ukrainian voters via referendum
• Any agreement depends on details, control mechanisms, and legal guarantees

Zelenskyy questions buffer zone security guarantees

Speaking to journalists on 11 December, Zelenskyy had already addressed the buffer zone proposals, making clear Ukraine’s skepticism.

“The Russians want the entire Donbas, but we obviously do not accept this,” he said. While the Americans are “looking for a format,” they describe it as a “free economic zone” while Russia calls it a “demilitarized zone.”

The president raised a fundamental objection: “What would prevent Russian forces from advancing further or infiltrating under the guise of civilians?” He added that if partners speak about compromise, it must be fair and balanced for both sides, and there is no guarantee Ukraine will agree to such conditions.

Ukraine’s position, Zelenskyy said, is to hold positions along the contact line.

European leaders floated 40km buffer zone in August

The demilitarized zone concept did not originate with Le Monde’s report. European leaders had been quietly considering a buffer zone as early as August 2025.

According to Politico, European officials were weighing a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Russian and Ukrainian frontlines. Officials disagreed on how deep the zone should be, and it remained unclear whether Kyiv would accept any plan requiring territorial concessions.

The buffer zone idea emerged as NATO allies scrambled for a resolution to the war. Moscow had embraced the concept, with Putin and his deputies saying they were working to create buffer zones along Russia’s borders with Ukraine.

Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official who oversaw Europe and NATO policy under the Obama administration, was skeptical. “They’re grasping for straws,” he told Politico. “The Russians are not afraid of the Europeans.”

Estimates for the number of troops needed to patrol the border ranged from 4,000 to 60,000 soldiers, but countries had yet to make any commitments. Poland and Germany said they were not interested in deploying troops to Ukraine.

Ukraine peace talks: diplomatic signals vs firm commitments

The Le Monde report and subsequent Ukrainian denial fit a pattern in current peace talks, where public statements and private negotiations often diverge. The episode also shows how theoretical discussions in diplomatic settings can be reported as firm commitments, creating friction between Kyiv and its partners.

Zelenskyy’s own public comments have consistently emphasized that Ukraine will not simply abandon territory, while acknowledging pressure from the US to find a compromise with Moscow.

Read also:

• Zelenskyy: US wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk for vague “special economic zone” – Kyiv may refuse

• Trump envoys meet Ukraine officials for third day as Putin vows to seize Donbas “by force”

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