Budanov On Prospects For Peace: Ending War Now Simply Unrealistic

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to Ukrinform, he stated this in an interview with Nataliia Moseichuk during a national telethon.

"I think everyone will see negotiations very soon, but they will mostly concern technical issues and preparations for something major, which I hope we will eventually reach. We will not stop the war now. Not because we do not want to, but simply because it is unrealistic," Budanov said.

Asked whether Ukraine would have to continue fighting through the winter, the Head of the Office of the President replied: "Unfortunately, I'm afraid so."

Read also: Zelensky calls for more ballistic missile defense after Russia's overnight attack

He added that Russia currently does not want to halt the fighting along the front line, although he did not rule out continued efforts to find solutions to unblock Black Sea routes and address humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges.

As previously reported, the latest round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia took place in Geneva on February 17–18.

Kyiv hopes for a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump's representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner following their numerous visits to Russia.

In July, President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Witkoff and Kushner, during which the parties discussed ways to intensify diplomatic efforts to bring peace closer.

MENAFN28082026000193011044ID1111593377