Budanov Predicts No Ukraine Ceasefire Before Spring 2027

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's presidential office, expects peace talks with Russia to resume by late September but does not foresee a quick ceasefire. He told The New York Times that conditions for halting hostilities are unlikely to emerge before spring 2027. Budanov said negotiations could restart after Russia's September parliamentary elections and weeks before the November US midterm congressional elections. A visit to Kyiv by US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could prompt a new round of talks. However, he stressed that resuming negotiations would not automatically mean a ceasefire. Budanov noted that Ukraine and Russia cannot trust each other during wartime, but this should not block diplomacy. He cited prisoner exchanges as an example of continued interaction despite hostilities, adding that "you cannot fight all your life." Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga mentioned possible peace process intensification, with Kyiv maintaining regular contact with the US negotiating team.