Russian forces are creating ‘buffer zone’ alongside Russia-Ukraine border, Putin says

CNN
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Russian armed forces are making a “safety buffer zone” alongside the border between Russia and Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin mentioned Thursday.

“I’ve already mentioned {that a} choice was made to create the mandatory safety buffer zone alongside the border. Our armed forces are presently fixing this drawback. Enemy firing factors are being actively suppressed, the work is underway,” Putin mentioned.

Ukrainian overseas ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi mentioned the plan was “aggressive” and demonstrated that “Russia is the impediment of peace efforts now.”

Thursday’s announcement was made forward of an anticipated prisoner trade between Ukraine and Russia – an consequence of last week’s face-to-face talks in Turkey, the primary time the 2 international locations have held direct talks at any degree in three years.

The Russian president beforehand raised the potential for making a “buffer zone” in March throughout a go to to Russia’s Kursk area. He doubled down on the border plan throughout a gathering on Thursday with members of the federal government, throughout which he mentioned the necessity to “restore and rebuild all the things that was destroyed” within the border area.

“(We should) assist folks return to their native villages, settlements, (and) the place safety situations permit, restore all transport and different infrastructure,” Putin added.

The Russian chief is planning on internet hosting a devoted assembly to debate the “restoration” initiatives, Russian state media reported on Thursday.

The announcement comes days after Putin visited Russia’s Kursk region for the primary time since claiming to have fully retaken the area from Ukrainian forces, state media reported on Wednesday.

Twelve civilians – together with two kids – had been injured in a Ukrainian strike in town of Lgov in Kursk, the area’s performing governor mentioned Thursday. Based on an preliminary evaluation, 4 autos, two homes and one house constructing had been additionally broken within the “huge” strike, the official mentioned.