Russia Wants Postwar Ukraine Turned Into ‘Buffer Zone,’ Lavrov Says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow wants postwar Ukraine to become a “buffer zone,” reflecting the Kremlin’s continued focus on security demands and territorial influence. The statement is likely to deepen concerns in Kyiv and among its Western partners, who have opposed arrangements that could limit Ukraine’s sovereignty or military independence. Any future settlement would face difficult negotiations over borders, security guarantees, reconstruction, and relations with Russia. The comments underline the sides remain divided over Ukraine’s postwar order still.