Kremlin rejects idea of "buffer zone" in Donbas, saying region "belongs to Russia"

Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, has said the Kremlin rejects the proposal to create a "buffer zone" in Donbas as part of a joint Ukraine-US-EU plan, claiming that Ukrainian Donbas, which Russian forces are attempting to seize, "is a Russian region".

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency Interfax

Quote from Peskov: "In this context, I would nevertheless say that Donbas is the territory of the Russian Federation, a constituent entity of the Russian Federation... And it is hardly possible for any third party to administer the regions of the Russian Federation."

Details: Meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesman claimed that Russia continues to wage the war because it sees no peaceful way to end it. "Russia remains open to peaceful solutions, but in the absence of such solutions, we continue the special military operation [the term Russians use for Russia's war against Ukraine – ed.]," he said.

Peskov once again made the unsubstantiated claim that the Kremlin "not only expects but is also convinced that victory will be achieved", although he added that "this will depend on the current situation".

Background:

• The Times reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said Ukraine, together with the United States and Europe, had developed a number of proposals to end the war in Ukraine. The plan would include a ceasefire, the mutual withdrawal of Russian and Ukrainian troops from the front line and the creation of a buffer zone. "There are several more ideas from the American side, as far as we know. They want to find the right moment to share them. We are waiting for them," Zelenskyy said.
• On 22 August, Putin described Ukraine's proposals for a peaceful settlement as "exotic" and unacceptable to Russia.
• On 24 August, Zelenskyy said in an address to Ukrainians marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence that "the Russians must be brought to the negotiating table". "There finally must be sanctions that will make them howl. Ukraine must be given everything that will force them to end the war. And this is possible," the head of state said.
• Earlier, Serhii Kyslytsia, First Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said Putin does not want talks now and will be even less willing to negotiate once the cold weather arrives because he believes Ukrainians will not be able to survive the coming winter.
• On 14 August, Russia's Defence Ministry posted a photo of attack drones accompanied by a threat to "freeze" Ukraine this winter. The Strategic Communications Directorate of Ukraine's Armed Forces responded by promising to "keep warm by the fire of Russian oil refineries".

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