World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Putin says Russia’s planned security zone in Ukraine is off-limits to talks
Vladimir Putin says Russia is establishing a security zone inside Ukraine along the countries’ border.
He says the zone will not be open to negotiation in future peace talks with Kyiv.
Putin says the operation responds to Ukraine’s 2024-25 incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says the planned zone spans 660km, with 70% under Russian control; he did not say how far it would extend into Ukraine.
The plan would involve land in the Ukrainian regions of Sumy and Kharkiv, which Russia has not claimed as its own territory.
The announcement sets out a Russian demand that could complicate future talks, while Russian attacks continue across Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin said Russia’s planned security zone inside Ukraine along the border would not be open to negotiation in future talks with Kyiv.
He said the operation responded to Ukraine’s 2024-25 incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the planned zone would span 660km, with 70% currently under Russian control.
The zone would require Russia to take land in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Putin made the comments during a visit to a command post while wearing military uniform.
- Who
- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the position. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave details of the planned zone.
- What
- Russia is establishing a security zone inside Ukraine along the border, and Putin said it would not be subject to future peace negotiations.
- When
- Oct. 16, 2026.
- Where
- Inside Ukraine along the border with Russia, including land in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
- Why
- Putin said the operation was in response to Ukraine’s 2024-25 incursion into Russia’s Kursk region and aimed to ensure the security of Russia’s border regions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ukraine carried out an incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region, which Putin cited as the reason for the operation.
Putin said Russia was establishing a security zone inside Ukraine and that it would not be subject to future peace negotiations.
- Planned zone length
- 660km
- Zone under Russian control
- 70%
- Ukrainian regions involved
- Sumy and Kharkiv
- Cited incursion
- Ukraine’s 2024-25 incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region
2 sources
What people are saying
Our goal is to ensure the absolute security of Russia’s border regions for the future, and we do not plan to make this a subject for potential peace negotiations with Ukraine.
The Russian armed forces were tasked not only with expelling the enemy from our land but also with establishing a security zone in the adjacent territory. This task is being carried out successfully,