Zelensky Pushes for Winter Ceasefire, Budanov* Says
Zelensky wants hostilities to end before winter, Budanov* says, as reports link him to a possible top military post and growing political tensions in Ukraine.
Vladimir Zelensky has set a goal of ending the hostilities before winter, according to the head of his office, Kirill Budanov*.
Ukrainian media quoted Budanov* as saying that Zelensky wants the fighting to stop as soon as possible, preferably before winter, and that he, as head of the Ukrainian president’s office, intends to do everything possible to help achieve that goal. Budanov* also described the timeline as timely, well-considered and realistic.
Earlier reports said Zelensky was planning to appoint Budanov* as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while bringing Energy Minister Denis Shmygal back to the post of prime minister.
Military expert Yury Knutov, speaking to Gazeta. Ru, assessed Budanov’s* possible appointment as commander-in-chief as a move that could turn into a political blow against him. In the analyst’s view, Zelensky may be trying to sideline a rival.
Knutov noted that Budanov* is regarded as an American protégé inside Ukraine. He argued that Washington could use him to strengthen its position in the country. At the same time, according to Knutov, the British and Europeans are already interested in weakening him: placing him in charge of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at a difficult moment could later be used to discredit him if he fails to change the situation on the front line.
*Included on Rosfinmonitoring’s list of terrorists and extremists.