The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, expressed confidence that the war between Ukraine and Russia could end in the near future. In an interview, he noted that the negotiation process between the parties is approaching positive results, and both sides understand the necessity of halting hostilities.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Negotiations and Economic Pressure on Russia
Budanov emphasized that despite adhering to “maximalist” positions during negotiations, both sides now recognize the limits of acceptable compromise. According to him, the economic losses suffered by the Russian Federation could become a key factor in its willingness to compromise. Budanov highlighted that Russia’s financial expenditures on the war have already reached trillion-level sums, significantly impacting its position.
“They all understand that the war must end. That’s why they are negotiating. I don’t think this will last long,” Budanov said, acknowledging that until now, the parties have maintained “maximalist” positions in the negotiations.
Positions of the Parties Regarding Donbas
Despite the noted progress in negotiations, the official position of the Russian side remains rigid. In particular, the spokesperson for the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, stated on April 1 that there is a demand for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territory of the Donetsk region controlled by Ukraine. He claimed that such a decision could halt the active phase of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on March 31 that Russia insisted on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region within two months during the negotiations. According to Zelensky, the Russian side threatens to seize Donbas and further impose other conditions if these demands are not met.
The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that the advance of Russian forces in Ukraine has slowed, and Ukrainian troops continue to successfully repel attacks on various sections of the front. ISW analysts emphasize that by the end of March 2026, no significant Russian gains on the front have been recorded, and the prospect of a complete victory for Russia remains unlikely.