Podolyak on the demilitarized zone in Donbas: the discussion is still purely theoretical.

According to ТСН: Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak commented on the publication by Le Monde regarding Ukraine's alleged readiness to create a demilitarized zone in Donbas, calling the discussion "exclusively theoretical."

Theoretical Discussions

According to Podolyak, the format that envisages the creation of a buffer zone with active monitoring is considered only in the context of possible future security guarantees.

"The discussion is currently exclusively theoretical. It is obvious that all possible formats are being considered in the negotiation process, including a potential option for a ceasefire along the line of direct confrontation. It is also evident that this format theoretically assumes the possibility of forming a so-called buffer (demilitarized) zone that will require active monitoring. However, all this is currently discussed only in the context of security guarantees," said Podolyak.

He emphasized that final decisions will be announced by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

Complex Territorial Concessions

Le Monde noted that Ukraine is allegedly ready for complex territorial concessions, agreeing to create a demilitarized zone in Donbas as part of a new peace plan being refined by Zelensky. Podolyak mentioned that such a zone will involve the withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russian forces from both sides of the front line and the control of international forces, preferably with the participation of the U.S., to prevent further aggression.

At the same time, the President's advisor, Dmytro Litvin, pointed out that Le Monde presented this statement incorrectly: there is no final agreement from Kyiv, and decisions can be made only by the head of state or the people of Ukraine.

The discussion of creating a demilitarized zone remains a sensitive issue in the country since it concerns security and territorial integrity. Ukraine's further actions may depend on international support and responses to current challenges, thus President Zelensky reserves the right to make final decisions.