Viktoriya Horyova
The Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that there is a possibility of reaching a ceasefire in the Russo-Ukrainian war by 2025. However, he is uncertain whether peacekeepers would become an effective guarantee of security afterward.
"Details" has compiled the key statements made by Budanov during an interview with journalist Eynulla Fatullayev.
▪️Despite the diametrically opposed starting positions of the parties, I believe that this year we will arrive at a ceasefire. How long and effective it will be is another question. I think it will happen; there are many factors in favor of it.
▪️Show me at least one country in the world where the introduction of peacekeepers has helped. Nowhere. So can it be considered a guarantee? Obviously, that is questionable.
▪️What guarantees are — that is a very debatable question. The issue of NATO is very complex. Is there any other format of guarantees — I think there is no such format at the moment.
▪️I am definitely not writing (memoirs, — ed.). I do not plan to write myself; it is still too early.
▪️There is the general idea from Trump, who said he wants to stop the war. Most actions from various groups in his administration are aimed at realizing this thesis. Their goal is to stop the war. This does not imply the victory of one side, the defeat of the other side, or any other points. This is the reality.
▪️There is Russian advancement; the situation at the front is complicated. If someone says that everything is fine there — do not believe them. To say that everything is good for the Russians — no.
▪️There is no collapse of the front. It will not happen tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in a week.
▪️We must not forget that we are a democracy. I know well what totalitarian regimes are like in different countries. Let it be democracy. That's all; it's excessive. These are misanthropic approaches that create not just submissive people but simply bio-robots. This is not our path. Ukraine is a land of opportunities, and this is possible only in a democratic society.