Top Zelenskyy aide believes peace talks could end war
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, is convinced that the peace process between Ukraine and Russia will ultimately lead to an end to the war, according to The Times.
Read also: Russia names conditions for peace in Ukraine
"I do not have to trust anyone, I have to achieve a result," he says. "Any ways, forms and methods of work are good if they produce that result. I don’t engage in matters I don’t believe in…I believe in the negotiation process… [its] completion and the result," Budanov says.
He notes that his experience as head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) helps him in negotiations for a peace agreement, as he still has access to informants and influential figures in Russia.
This provides him with background information on the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the red lines, of those sitting on the other side of the negotiating table.
"We dealt with them for many years, so believe me, I know how to talk to them," adds the head of the Presidential Office.
Budanov established a system for negotiations on prisoner releases, often relying on indirect channels within Russia to bring captured Ukrainian soldiers and civilians home. These channels have now proven useful for peace negotiations.
Peace talks
Since early 2026, several rounds of trilateral talks have taken place between Ukraine, Russia, and the US. The talks are currently on hold.
The main issue that has yet to be resolved is control over the Donbas.
Russia insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, Ukraine proposes freezing positions along the front line, and the US advocates for the creation of a free economic zone in these territories.
Ukraine's basic condition for concluding a peace agreement with Russia is that Kyiv will not make any territorial concessions regarding the current front line.
At the same time, The New York Times reported that neither Ukraine nor Russia had a clear plan for either peace or victory. The agency noted that without Washington playing an active role and exerting significant influence on Russia, the prospect of reaching an agreement was slim.
Meanwhile, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia were moving toward the conclusion of an agreement. According to him, the process of ending the war may not take long.
During his speech at the May 9 parade in Moscow, Vladimir Putin made a series of statements regarding the war against Ukraine. According to him, the Russian-Ukrainian war is allegedly nearing its end.
Putin also expressed his readiness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not only in Moscow but also on the territory of a third country. He cited this as the main condition for signing a final agreement.
However, in response to the Kremlin leader’s remarks about a swift end to the war in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War noted that there were no signs that Russia intends to end its aggression.
