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Kyrylo Budanov (Photo: Kyrylo Budanov via Facebook)
Former defense intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, now serving as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief-of-staff, said on Jan. 20 he feels “cautiously optimistic” about the progress in the U.S.-mediated peace negotiations with Russia.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Budanov said efforts by Ukraine and the United States are underway even if a ceasefire is not likely in the immediate future.
“We’re moving forward; you can’t say peace will happen tomorrow, and anyone who says that is wrong, but a lot of effort is being made—first and foremost by us and by the United States,” he said.
“Like it or not, this movement is real, and we are making progress.”
Budanov noted that ending the war in the near term depends largely on Russia’s willingness to negotiate. He argued that Russia cannot be winning the war, because if it were, the talks would not be taking place. He also rejected the notion that Ukraine still needs to claim a seat at the negotiating table: “We’re already in this process.”
He added that he had traveled to Davos from Miami, where he held the latest round of talks with U.S. envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Despite tensions and “unpleasant” actors, Budanov said it would be neither possible nor productive to exclude Russia from talks.
“Closing our eyes won’t help; we will have to deal with them,” he stated.
Budanov urged Ukraine’s partners to set aside their differences, pool their efforts and see the process through.
“We need a just peace, security guarantees, and a reconstruction plan. Internal squabbles will only weaken us,” he concluded.
Zelenskyy was initially scheduled to arrive in Davos on Jan. 20, but the trip was postponed due to another Russian missile attack on Kyiv’s critical infrastructure that morning.
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