Budanov is polling higher than Zelensky for an eventual election.

After holding the top spy position for over 5 years, General Kirilo Budanov became Head of the Presidential Office after Andriy Yermak was fired in disgrace, under a corruption prosecution.

As Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, we have been reporting on how Budanov presents a much different take on the peace process than his boss, as you can read in Ukrainian Negotiators Divided, With Head of Presidential Office Budanov Leading Faction Who Wants a Quick Peace Agreement ‘While There’s Still Time’: REPORT and Top Kiev Negotiator Budanov Says Russia and Ukraine Are Moving Towards a Peace Deal To End 4-Year War.

Today, Budanov, said he believes that achieving a deal to end the war against ‌Russia by winter was a ‘realistic’ outcome.

Zelensky has ordered efforts to end the war as soon as possible — preferably before winter

Budanov said that the Ukrainian president has set the goal of achieving a ceasefire as quickly as possible.

“As the Head of the Presidential Office, I will do everything to achieve the… pic.twitter.com/VHeWwWlAaa

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 1, 2026

Reuters reported:

“Zelenskiy said in an interview aired on Sunday that he wanted to press on ​with talks on securing peace with Russia, which ​have stalled in recent months, before the onset ⁠of winter to take account of Kiev’s improved ​strategic position.

[…] Budanov said ​he expected a U.S. delegation to visit Moscow ​and Kiev in the near future, without giving details.

‘This is the ‌president’s ⁠instruction: to try to end this war as soon as possible … preferably before winter’, he told reporters at a press conference. ‘In my opinion, this is ​absolutely correct, ​timely, and realistic’.”

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Budanov says Putin fears for his life and has reasons to.

He said it may be convenient to believe everyone in the Kremlin has lost touch with reality, but warned that there are still people around Putin capable of analyzing events. pic.twitter.com/eGA80JHEUs

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) June 1, 2026

​Ukraine wants to seize the battlefield initiative and ‘strengthen its hand’ for ​peace talks.

Budanov denies reports of Russian Trinity Sunday ceasefire.

Ukraine’s military intelligence urged civilians to take air raid alerts seriously and “be ready to react.”https://t.co/2IqED8a5HL

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 1, 2026

Read more:

Top Kiev Negotiator Budanov Says Russia and Ukraine Are Moving Towards a Peace Deal To End 4-Year War

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