Russian army creating buffer zone along border with Ukraine: Putin

Russian forces are working on establishing a security buffer zone along the country's border with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

The enemy's firing positions are being actively suppressed, and work is ongoing, Putin said at a government meeting, referring to the buffer zone.

The Russian president noted the necessity to begin restoration work in the border regions of Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk, and demine the areas where fighting previously took place.

Putin visited the Kursk region on Tuesday, where the Ukrainian army launched an offensive in August 2024. On April 26, Putin announced that Russia had regained full control of the region.

In response, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi on Thursday said that Putin's statement about the buffer zone demonstrates that Russia is the main obstacle to peace. He called for stronger pressure on Russia to ensure a lasting ceasefire.

Also on Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the statement on buffer zone shows Russia's rejection of peace, urging increased pressure on Russia to bring an end to the war.

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for June delivery increased by 4.11 dollars, or 4.19 percent, to settle at 102.18 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for July delivery gained 3.56 dollars, or 3.42 percent, to settle at 107.77 U.S. dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Iran rejected the latest U.S. proposal as tantamount to surrender, calling instead for an end to the war, the removal of sanctions and the lifting of the naval blockade in its response to the draft plan, which U.S. President Donald Trump described as "totally unacceptable."

The two sides have exchanged several draft proposals through Pakistan in recent weeks as part of efforts to end the conflict.