Budanov: Russia keeps inventing new reasons not to agree to ceasefire

According to him, Ukraine's position on ending hostilities is open and has been publicly stated by the president.

Budanov said Russia, instead, keeps coming up with new reasons not to agree to a ceasefire. He also stressed that the war has gone on too long and needs to end.

Separately, the head of the Presidential Office noted the role of the United States in the peace process. According to him, Washington is creating opportunities for Ukraine that allow it to move forward on the path to peace.

On Sept. 25, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said Russia had allegedly been ready to resume talks with Kyiv after the elections, but that Ukraine "tried to strike Moscow."

Ceasefire discussions between Ukraine and Russia

On Sept. 23, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ukraine and Russia had expressed interest in reaching a limited ceasefire covering grain and energy issues.

Even before his meeting with Zelenskyy in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly made clear he expected the Ukrainian president to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, citing the impact on the global fuel market.

In response, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to stop striking Russian refineries if Russia, in turn, stops its attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure, food exports, and the energy sector. On Sept. 22 in New York, the president reaffirmed his readiness for any format of an energy ceasefire with Russia, provided it is reciprocal.

A joint statement by 51 U.N. member states on Sept. 23 said Ukraine had agreed, since March 2025, to a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. The organization called on Russia to take a similar step.