Everything depends on the situation on the battlefield. And everything beyond that – long-range sanctions and various other measures – is about pushing the Russian Federation toward serious negotiations. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said this while taking part in the annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) in Kyiv.
Kyrylo Budanov emphasized that a window for negotiations to achieve peace in Ukraine currently exists and depends directly on our success at the front and pressure on Russia, including through our long-range sanctions.
“The Russian Federation is already feeling the impact of these actions of ours quite seriously. Just look at what is happening in their oil and gas sector, for example. Yes, we have problems transporting our goods through the Black Sea, but at the same time, the Black Sea is also blocked for them. And the problems this creates for them are quite serious and significant,” he said.
The Head of the Office of the President emphasized that at least the sharp deterioration in the position of one of Russia’s major banks, VTB, and the fall in the value of one of the largest corporations in the aggressor state, Gazprom, are telling. Gazprom’s value has fallen from $270 billion 20 years ago to $30 billion today.
However, according to Kyrylo Budanov, even with serious economic difficulties, Russia still retains the ability to continue military operations. Therefore, pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, must be increased.
“The issues we are all discussing here are actually quite serious and difficult. And they are matters of historic importance. Ultimately, the lives of not only us as Ukrainians, but also the citizens of the countries joining this process, will depend on how seriously we take them. So I say once again: unity. Unity of the United States, unity of Ukraine, unity of Europe,” he emphasized.
Kyrylo Budanov also met with security advisors to the leaders of Germany, Günter Sautter; France, Emmanuel Bonne; Italy, Fabrizio Saggio; and the United Kingdom, Jonathan Powell. He also held a separate meeting with the British side to coordinate a common position and discuss important decisions. The Head of the Office of the President believes that the next round of talks on peace in Ukraine could take place in early October and would concern a gradual reduction in airstrikes. It is important that the United States and Europe take part in the negotiations.
“The main issue will be Black Sea shipping, reducing the number of strikes on civilian facilities, critical infrastructure, and so on. Everyone exchanged views on this. The Russians know this very well and are also considering what to do about it. We are waiting,” Kyrylo Budanov said.
According to the Head of the Office of the President, it is important not to waste time and to work on creating a new security architecture in Europe, of which Ukraine and our Armed Forces must be an integral part, as President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said while calling for cooperation.
The Yalta European Strategy (YES) is a leading international forum in Eastern Europe that brings together global leaders, politicians, businesspeople, and intellectuals every year to discuss Ukraine’s European integration and global security challenges. The conference serves as an open platform for developing strategies to bring Ukraine closer to the EU and NATO, counter Russian aggression, and shape a new architecture of peace in the world. Due to Russia’s temporary occupation of Crimea since 2014, the forum has been held in Kyiv.