Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia is building a “security zone” inside Ukraine along the border. In comments delivered during a visit to a command post, he describes the zone as “non-negotiable” and says it would not be part of any future talks with Kyiv.
The outlets report that the move is presented by the Kremlin as a response to Ukraine’s actions in Russia’s Kursk region in 2024–25. One report adds additional operational detail from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, including an estimated length of the zone—about 660 km—and a claim that Russian forces control roughly 70% of the area.
While all sources convey Putin’s assertion about the zone’s future role in negotiations, they differ slightly in emphasis and framing—some focus on the pledge that it will not be negotiated, while others provide figures and the stated justification tied to developments in Kursk. No sources provide independent verification or Ukraine’s response within the excerpts provided.
