Zelenskyy: Russia wants a buffer zone along Ukraine's entire border, including Belarusian side

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on remarks by Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President's Office, about Russia's plans to create a buffer zone in Vinnytsia Oblast from the direction of unrecognised Transnistria, noting that he sees no threat there at present.

Source: Ukrinform, citing Zelenskyy at a meeting with journalists

Quote: "The Russians want to have a buffer zone along the entire border – not only their own but also Belarus's. And that includes Chernihiv Oblast and Sumy Oblast as well. There is nothing new here. As regards Transnistria: honestly, I don't see a threat there at present."

Details: Zelenskyy added that the threat is primarily where Russian troop groupings are stationed.

Quote: "Today we see concentrations in other areas – in the south, on the Zaporizhzhia front. Their main goal remains unchanged – the Pokrovsk front. For them it is an important city, they have long been trying to seize it. And it is important for us too, because that is where our defence line and our positions are."

Background: Palisa said earlier that Russia seeks to create a buffer zone in Vinnytsia Oblast from the direction of unrecognised Transnistria, but lacks the forces to do so.

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