Ukraine outlines conditions for successful talks, signals battlefield 'surprise' for Russia
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine is preparing a technological "surprise" for the enemy on the battlefield. Successful negotiations will only be possible if the Ukrainian Armed Forces remain strong, said the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, during the Kyiv Security Forum.
New phase of the war: shift to AI
According to Budanov, the war has now entered a phase where simply increasing the number of drones no longer yields significant results. Both sides have reached the limits of existing drone control technologies.
The next step for Ukraine will be the full integration of artificial intelligence, enabling the creation of autonomous combat systems.
"We need to move to autonomous systems capable of independently identifying targets and maneuvering. Ukraine already has such developments, and I am convinced they will soon become a surprise for the enemy," he said.
Negotiations and red lines
Budanov stressed that strength on the battlefield is the key condition for successful diplomacy.
He assured that Ukraine will not make territorial concessions or compromises that contradict national interests.
The head of the Presidential Office also highlighted the effectiveness of Ukraine’s "oil sanctions," referring to attacks on Russian refineries, which not only deplete Russia’s resources but also undermine its image as a reliable energy supplier globally.
Negotiations and the situation in Donbas
Earlier, Kyrylo Budanov said the Ukrainian authorities already have a certain plan for Donbas that would protect national interests. He stressed that the territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions will not be subject to bargaining, and any steps in this direction will primarily serve the interests of Ukrainians.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that diplomatic efforts to end the war cannot be put on hold due to the conflict in the Middle East.
According to him, the US's focus on its war with Iran has already disrupted deliveries of some key types of weapons for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, making the situation critical.
In addition, Ankara continues to offer an active mediating role. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed that Türkiye is ready to host a new round of talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia in order to find a way out of the military deadlock and achieve lasting peace.
