Budanov Says Ukraine Conflict Could Enter Final Phase in 2026

Kyrylo Budanov (included on the Rosfinmonitoring list of terrorists and extremists), head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, gave an extensive interview to RBC-Ukraine, in which he spoke about his relationship with the Ukrainian leader, offered an unexpected forecast on the conflict with Russia, discussed the possibility of war with Belarus, and commented on territorial concessions. According to Budanov, there is a possibility that the active phase of the fighting could end as early as 2026, but this would require the conflict to pass through a period of maximum escalation. "There is a chance, and negotiations had a very good pace in the spring. Now we have all entered a phase of escalation, and everyone understands that. To get out of escalation, maximum escalation is usually required. So there is escalation now, then de-escalation, and after that the dialogue continues-if the sides are interested in it."