New ceasefire plan for Ukraine calls for buffer zone, 5,000 monitors

A newly released proposal offers a detailed framework for a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, focusing on establishing a buffer zone and deploying thousands of international observers to monitor compliance along a front line of over 1,100 km.

The 31-page paper, published last week by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), outlines plans for a six-mile buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces, with 5,000 civilian and police officers patrolling the area, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

The proposal suggests that an additional 10,000 foreign troops may be required to provide security for these monitors. The monitors would oversee ceasefire adherence, verify the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, and report any violations of the agreement.

The Geneva experts emphasized the importance of a robust monitoring mechanism to prevent further escalation, stressing that a future ceasefire in Ukraine must be more durable than the 2015 Minsk agreement, which suffered from inadequate monitoring and a lack of enforcement. The mission would operate under the mandate of the United Nations or a similar international body.

The paper proposes a joint commission of Russian and Ukrainian military officials to help oversee the implementation, which would allow both sides to hold each other accountable for actions such as detainee releases, mine clearance, and ensuring the safe movement of civilians through the buffer zone.

“The length and complexity of the front line, combined with the sophistication of the weaponry on both sides, makes this an unprecedented challenge,” said Samuel Charap, a Russia analyst at the RAND Corporation. He pointed to the potential of using drones, sensors, and other technologies to monitor ceasefire violations and ensure transparency.

While the plan is detailed, it remains uncertain how it will affect ongoing diplomatic negotiations, especially considering the personal dynamics between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. The possibility of sending international troops has sparked debate, with both France and Britain expressing willingness to contribute, though the scope and mandate of such a force are unclear.

Despite this, the paper highlights a shift in focus, from battlefield tactics to the complex logistics of a future armistice. As Western governments and Ukraine continue to push for a settlement, experts warn that without accurate monitoring, a lasting peace could remain out of reach.

By Aghakazim Guliyev