Ukraine’s top military intelligence official states urgent need for ceasefire
(MENAFN)
Ukraine’s top military intelligence official, Kirill Budanov, has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire with Russia before the end of 2025, citing ongoing territorial losses and increasing challenges in maintaining troop numbers. His comments were made in an interview published Friday, as Ukrainian forces continue to lose ground across several battlefronts, and recent offensives, such as the incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region, have ended unsuccessfully.
Ukraine’s top military intelligence official, Kirill Budanov, has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire with Russia before the end of 2025, citing ongoing territorial losses and increasing challenges in maintaining troop numbers. His comments were made in an interview published Friday, as Ukrainian forces continue to lose ground across several battlefronts, and recent offensives, such as the incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region, have ended unsuccessfully.
“A ceasefire must be reached as soon as possible and well before the end of this year,” Budanov stated. “Is it realistic to do so? Yes. Is it difficult? No. It takes at least three sides – Ukraine, Russia, and the US. And we will get to this position.”
His remarks reflect growing pressure on Ukraine’s military, which is facing difficulties replenishing its ranks amid an ongoing conscription campaign and dwindling resources.
Russia, however, has dismissed the idea of an immediate truce unless several preconditions are met. These include Ukrainian troop withdrawal from territories Moscow claims, an end to Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, and a complete stop to Western arms deliveries. The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of attempting to use a temporary pause to regroup and rearm, thereby prolonging the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also reiterated Moscow’s opposition to any NATO presence in Ukraine, including under a peacekeeping mandate. Russian officials argue that such deployments would be unacceptable under any circumstances.
Despite the stalemate, diplomatic channels remain active. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed this week that preparations are underway for a third round of direct negotiations in Türkiye. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky emphasized during a summit in Rome that before further talks, both sides must fulfill agreements from a prior prisoner exchange deal finalized in Istanbul on June 2.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
