Russia will remain Ukraine's neighbor after war and country must prepare, Zelenskyy's chief of staff says
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov (photo: Getty Images)
There are many possible scenarios for how relations between Ukraine and Russia could develop after the war. It is still too early to discuss them, but Ukraine must prepare for the fact that Russia will always be its "neighbor," Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said during a meeting with students at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
"There are many different scenarios, but as I said, in any case, a certain territory will always border ours. Most likely, forever. We need to prepare for that," Budanov said.
He noted that the priority now is to stop the war, as it is premature to discuss such issues while the country is in the active phase of a fully conventional open war.
"You understand that during World War II, the Soviet Union did not maintain economic relations with Germany at the height of the war. Although things were different at the beginning. By the way, the same was true with America. It is impossible to talk about what relations will be like during the active phase. It is simply inappropriate," the head of the Presidential Office added.
Peace talks
The negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia was suspended back in the winter. At first, the reason was that the United States, which serves as a mediator, entered the war with Iran. Later, Moscow refused to continue the dialogue.
Russian officials claimed they would hold talks only if Ukraine showed readiness to give up Donbas.
A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there were no grounds for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
He complained that the letter sent by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Russian leader on June 4 did not create conditions for dialogue.
At the same time, Russia has said it is ready for dialogue with Ukraine "on the basis of the Istanbul agreements."
