(Reuters) – The head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, Kyrylo Budanov, believes a ceasefire in the war with Russia could happen this year.
“I think it is going to happen. There are most of the components for it to happen,” Budanov said in a YouTube interview with journalist Eynulla Fatullayev.
He gave no details. Ukrainian officials largely dismiss the idea of a ceasefire, warning it will only give Russia time to rearm and prepare for further aggression.
“How long it will be, how effective it will be – is another question,” Budanov added.
Discussions about a possible ceasefire intensified after Donald Trump, who promised a quick end to the war, returned to the White House for his second presidential term.
Fast-moving diplomacy on Ukraine, beginning with a Trump call with Russian President Vladimir Putin a week ago, has triggered alarm in Kyiv and other European capitals.
They fear the two leaders could cut a quick deal that ignores Europe’s security interests, rewards Moscow for its invasion and leaves Putin free to threaten Ukraine or other countries in the future.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; editing by Giles Elgood)
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