Negotiations with Russia: Budanov Reports “Progress” and a Chance for a Quick Deal
10 April 20:36
Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, reported significant progress in negotiations with Russia and suggested that a peace agreement could be reached in the near future.
He made these remarks in an interview with Bloomberg, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What exactly did he say?
According to Kirill Budanov:
- the parties have already moved away from rigid “maximalist positions”;
- negotiations are gradually moving toward a compromise;
- the process itself may not drag on for long.
“Everyone understands that the war must end. That is why they are negotiating,” he noted.
Why, in his view, is Russia interested
Budanov believes that Russia has economic incentives to end the war.
Specifically:
- war costs are in the trillions;
- funding comes from its own resources;
- this puts pressure on the country’s economy.
What remains unknown
At the same time, Kirill Budanov did not specify:
- exactly what compromises are being discussed;
- how the territorial issue might be resolved;
- what guarantees might accompany a potential agreement.
It is precisely the territorial issue that remains the most difficult element of the negotiations.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are taking place with the participation of international partners, notably the United States, and have long been marked by hardline positions on both sides.
Previous rounds have not yielded a breakthrough, and hostilities continue.
