Intel chief Budanov may lead Ukraine's delegation in talks with the US, reports say
Photo: Defense Intelligence of Ukraine chief Kyrylo Budanov (Getty Images)
Defense Intelligence of Ukraine chief Kyrylo Budanov has also departed for the United States for talks on the peace plan. He may head the Ukrainian delegation, reports The Economist journalist Oliver Carroll.
“Gen Budanov on way to US, I'm told. Possibly as head of negotiation (TBC),” the journalist wrote.
According to him, the talks appear to be ongoing.
“Trump not about to let Ukrainian woes get in the way of an unequal peace,” Carroll added.
Peace plan negotiations
The media recently published the US peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine. It consisted of 28 points, most of which contradict Ukrainian interests.
On November 23, talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations on the peace plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine took place in Geneva.
After the talks, the Financial Times reported that the document had been significantly shortened — instead of 28 points, 19 remained.
US President Donald Trump stated that the plan had been reduced to 22 points.
The Ukrainian delegation, following the meeting, reported a shared understanding of the key terms of the agreement and noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States may take place at the earliest possible date in November for further agreements with Trump.
Former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said that at the end of this week, the Ukrainian and American delegations will continue negotiations on the US peace plan. It is necessary to develop and formalize the results achieved in Geneva.
Today, it became known that the Ukrainian delegation has departed for the United States for further discussion of the peace plan.
The delegation, which includes Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, will meet with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in Florida.
Witkoff is also expected to head the US delegation at talks in Russia next week.
Yermak had previously been expected to travel to the United States for the talks, as he headed the Ukrainian delegation. However, yesterday morning, NABU conducted searches at his place in the Midas case related to a corruption scandal in the energy sector. And already in the evening, Yermak submitted his resignation, which was accepted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The head of state said that the Ukrainian delegation at the talks will be represented by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, intelligence, the NSDC, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
