Budanov says his intelligence background aids Ukraine-Russia negotiations

What happened

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian Presidential Office chief and head of Ukraine’s delegation in talks with Russia, told New Voice Ukraine that he has no problem communicating with Russian counterparts, attributing this to his extensive experience in intelligence. He has been involved in negotiations with Russia since 2022 and emphasized that previous engagements such as prisoner exchanges and grain corridor arrangements were part of ongoing negotiation processes.

Budanov elaborated that each side in the negotiations aims to achieve its own goals, placing talks in a spectrum where both parties seek results. He acknowledged the necessity of compromise for ending the war, expressing hope for a resolution once an acceptable compromise is found.

Regarding the prospect of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, Budanov stated that Washington and Kyiv desire these discussions to proceed, but Moscow’s readiness remains uncertain. Time, he said, will show how prepared Russia is to engage in such formats.

Known from the source

• Kyrylo Budanov is head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office and leads Ukraine’s negotiation delegation with Russia.
• Budanov has experience in Ukrainian Defense Intelligence and reports negotiating with Russia since 2022.
• Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have included prisoner exchanges and arrangements of former grain corridors.
• Budanov says both sides pursue their own goals in negotiations, with hopes tied to finding a compromise to end the war.
• Ukraine and the US want trilateral talks to continue; Russia’s willingness remains unclear according to Budanov.

What remains unclear

This commentary follows recent diplomatic activities including visits by U.S. presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv in early September, aiming to ‘unblock’ diplomatic processes and propose new initiatives for potential de-escalation this winter. President Zelenskyy has indicated potential locations for forthcoming trilateral talks, underscoring ongoing efforts to find diplomatic pathways amid the conflict.

What remains unclear: Current status and official outcomes of Ukraine-Russia negotiations since Budanov’s statements. Any statements or confirmations from Russian officials on the trilateral talks and readiness to engage. Details and verification of the new ideas and de-escalation steps presented by U.S. envoys and Ukraine. Additional context on the recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin concerning diplomatic talks.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: New Voice Ukraine. Open the source.