The United States and its allies are weighing a plan to establish a buffer zone inside Ukraine, potentially to be secured by troops from non-NATO countries such as Saudi Arabia or Bangladesh, NBC News has reported.
The proposal, still in a tentative stage, is part of ongoing discussions among military officials from Ukraine鈥檚 allies, including the US, on how to ensure Ukraine鈥檚 security if a peace deal with Russia is reached.
According to officials familiar with the talks, the envisioned buffer zone would be a demilitarised area inside Ukrainian territory, separating Russian and Ukrainian forces.
The US would lead surveillance of the zone, using advanced technologies such as drones, satellites, and intelligence assets, while coordinating with other partner countries.
However, American troops would not be deployed inside Ukraine. Instead, security on the ground could be maintained by forces from non-NATO states, a move designed to avoid provoking Moscow.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has long viewed NATO expansion and foreign troop presence in Ukraine as red lines. To address those sensitivities, planners are emphasising non-NATO participation and bilateral agreements rather than NATO鈥檚 Article V commitments.
鈥楾he guarantees are likely to rely on troops from non-NATO countries and a patchwork of bilateral deals,鈥� one source told NBC. 鈥楾he aim is to give Ukraine security assurances without direct NATO involvement.鈥�
Any such plan, however, would require agreement from both Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as the leaders of the countries offering troops or security guarantees.
The initiative has gained traction since US president Donald Trump met Putin in Alaska on August 15. That meeting had been expected to pave the way for direct negotiations between Putin and Zelenskyy, but progress toward a peace agreement has since stalled. Nonetheless, Ukraine鈥檚 allies, sometimes referred to as the 鈥榗oalition of the willing,鈥� have continued developing possible security frameworks.
On Thursday, members of this informal coalition, led by France and the United Kingdom, met to discuss the proposals.
Zelenskyy wrote on X afterwards: 鈥榃e discussed in detail each country鈥檚 readiness to make a contribution to ensuring security on land, at sea, in the air, and in cyberspace. We coordinated positions and reviewed elements of security guarantees.鈥�
Putin, however, has already dismissed the notion of foreign troops in Ukraine. Speaking Friday, he said: 鈥業f decisions are reached that will lead to peace, then I simply do not see any sense in their presence on the territory of Ukraine.
Among the many unresolved questions are the rules of engagement for any monitoring forces, and what kinds of Russian actions would trigger a response. 鈥楾he rules are likely to be hotly contested if disagreements arise after a deal,鈥� one source noted.
Another challenge is ensuring Ukraine鈥檚 economic survival. To prevent Russia from cutting off trade routes, Turkey would be tasked with monitoring maritime traffic in the Black Sea and ensuring the free flow of goods through the Bosporus and Dardanelles. Turkey had previously played a role in brokering the grain corridor after Russia鈥檚 invasion.
At the Pentagon, Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, is leading discussions on deterrence, training, and defence cooperation with Ukraine.
Washington is also considering a $100 billion deal under which Ukraine could purchase American weapons in exchange for granting the US rights to military technologies developed during the war.
Caine recently briefed Trump on four security guarantee options, reportedly recommending the most forward-leaning approach.
The White House has been cautious in public comments. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: 鈥楶resident Trump is the decision maker. Out of respect for ongoing diplomatic negotiations, the White House is not going to get ahead of him on these important matters.鈥�
For now, the buffer zone plan remains one of several possibilities under discussion, with its future hinging on fragile negotiations between Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington.
