Budanov sees no ceasefire before spring despite possible talks

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Office of the President, stated that conditions for a ceasefire are unlikely to emerge before spring, despite possible talks resuming by late September. In an interview with The New York Times published September 4, Budanov said negotiations mediated by the Trump administration may restart before the end of September, but no results should be expected within the next six months. He noted talks will eventually lead somewhere, as "you cannot fight a war your whole life." President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine is preparing for a meeting with U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Kyiv says it is ready to facilitate negotiations and expects reciprocal steps from Russia, while President Trump stated his envoys are carrying a proposal to end the war to Moscow and Kyiv.