Ukraine’s focus is on peace negotiations that must not only end the war but also prevent a recurrence of Russian aggression. This was stated by Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during his speech at the Justice Conference in Kyiv. The conference is dedicated to holding Russia accountable for the war it initiated against Ukraine.
Kyrylo Budanov emphasized that the war unleashed by the Russian Federation has several key dimensions. According to him, Russia is testing the resilience of the world order and the viability of international institutions. For the Russian Federation, the war is also existential, as the restoration of the Russian empire and spheres of influence is impossible without Ukraine.
The Head of the Presidential Office stressed that such wars do not end on their own. They either conclude with a just resolution or return in an even larger and more dangerous form. Therefore, peace negotiations must not simply halt the war – they must ensure that Russian aggression cannot happen again.
“It is no secret that negotiations aren’t going smoothly, but we are clearly moving forward and approaching a point when all parties will need to make final decisions: continue this war or move toward peace. I hope that justice will ultimately prevail. Thanks to diplomatic efforts and the support of our partners, primarily the United States, we are advancing step by step toward a result,” Kyrylo Budanov said.
According to him, if there are no personal consequences for deciding to wage war against a sovereign state, then all international rules cease to function, the global security order is destroyed, and any other country could become a victim.
“Accountability for aggression is not only a signal about the past – it is a signal about the future: about how the world responds to unlawful uses of force and what consequences await those who violate international norms,” the Head of the Presidential Office noted.
Furthermore, in restoring justice, a compensation mechanism is also crucial, as the war carries a concrete cost: destroyed cities, lost homes, ruined infrastructure, and, most importantly, lives taken, disabilities, and trauma inflicted on Ukrainians. Kyrylo Budanov stressed that at this stage, it is vital to move from documenting damages to making concrete decisions on the compensation mechanism and initiating its operation.
Another important area that requires ongoing attention is the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
“This is not simply a humanitarian issue – it concerns the future, identity, and safety of our next generations. From the state’s perspective, there are no secondary cases. Every case must be documented, every violation must receive legal assessment, and every child must ultimately be returned home,” he emphasized.
The Head of the Office of the President also highlighted that justice must function both internally and externally, making it essential to reform Ukraine’s judicial system and strengthen its institutions.
“For Ukrainian society, a visible manifestation of justice is the fight against corruption. That is why anti-corruption policy remains a top priority for the Office of the President of Ukraine and the entire government chain,” he said.
Kyrylo Budanov concluded by noting that the world is currently at a point of instability, and how it responds to the war in Ukraine will set rules for decades to come.
“Ukraine has clearly defined its position. Accountability is inevitable. Justice is systemic. And security, ultimately, is reliable. I want to remind us all: the guarantee of justice, the establishment of peace, the restoration of trust, and the safeguarding of our future is our Ukrainian army. As long as the Ukrainian soldier holds the front, both the rear and every citizen of Ukraine remain safe,” said the Head of the Office of the President.