Putin's 'demilitarized zone' in Ukraine targets Western long-range weapons: U.S. responds

War in Ukraine. Keep up-to-date with our LIVE COVERAGE

Vladimir Putin outlined plans to set up "demilitarized" or "sanitary" zones in Ukraine. He indicated that these zones would ensure that both Russia's territories and those it has occupied in Ukraine remain beyond the range of artillery systems used at the front line and Western long-range systems.

The Institute of War Studies has assessed that the Russian President's statements echo the Kremlin's ambiguous objectives in the war. Additionally, Russia seems keen to leverage Western pleas for a cessation of assistance to Kiev.

Analysts have highlighted that the territorial ambitions Putin alluded to are maximalist and intentionally vague. Pulling back the front line to such an extent is unachievable as long as an independent Ukraine, capable of resisting, exists," claimed ISW.

One pro-Kremlin Russian war blogger echoed Putin's sentiments, noting that for Russia to reach this goal, it would have to take control of Mykolayiv and Odessa in the south and the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk line in the Donetsk region.

The US State Department has also responded to Putin's statements.

"Understanding how a demilitarized zone between Russia and Ukraine would be implemented is challenging for me. Creating a demilitarized zone while Russian troops are still operating on the Ukrainian side of the border appears difficult," said State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, in a press conference.

In his opinion, if Russia genuinely intended to carry out this plan, it could launch the process by "demilitarizing parts of Ukraine where Russian forces are currently deployed".