Budanov: Ukraine ready to continue the war as long as necessary and intensify strikes on the Russian Federation
Ukraine will continue the fight against Russia for as long as necessary. If Moscow does not stop the war, Ukrainian strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation will become increasingly deeper and more powerful, stated Chief of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov.
He said this in an interview with Latvian Television (LTV), conducted by correspondent Gints Amoliņš and published by LSM.
Answering a question about how far the current spiral of escalation can go, Budanov said that Ukraine will continue to fight for as long as the situation requires.
"As long as necessary", he said, emphasizing that Ukraine is defending its own land, people, and future and has no other choice as long as Russia continues its aggression.
Strikes on Russia Will Intensify
Budanov also directly linked the future intensity of Ukrainian long-range attacks to Moscow's actions.
According to him, if Russia does not stop the war, Ukraine will build up its capabilities for strikes on its territory. This includes both increasing the range and the combat power of such attacks.
He made it clear that Kyiv views long-range strikes as one of the tools for pressuring Russia and reducing its ability to continue the war.
In recent months, Ukraine has significantly expanded the geography of attacks on Russian military, industrial, oil refining, and logistical facilities. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly emphasized that priority targets are infrastructure that directly supports the Russian army and war economy.
Budanov Named Possible Configuration for Ceasing Hostilities
According to the Chief of the President's Office, the most realistic option for ending the war, or at least for stopping active hostilities, could be an agreement tied to the actual front line at the time of its conclusion.
He cited the provision of security guarantees to Ukraine as a key condition of such a scenario. However, this would not mean Kyiv's legal renunciation of Ukraine's territories occupied by Russia — Budanov rejected the possibility of such recognition.
This position is consistent with statements he has made previously. In April, Budanov emphasized that Ukraine would not agree to legally recognize Russia's seizure of its territories, and that the negotiating framework must first and foremost prevent a repeat of the war.
The Negotiation Process Continues
Budanov also stated that dialogue around ending the war has not stopped. According to him, the process has already been resumed and is set to continue, as both Ukraine and the American side are interested in achieving a result.
He named Russia's readiness for real agreements as the main unknown.
The latest round of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, where the Ukrainian delegation was led by Budanov, took place in February in Geneva.
The interview was recorded during Budanov's stay in Riga. The day before, he met with the leadership of Latvia, where the parties discussed the security situation, defense cooperation, and further support for Ukraine.
Based on materials from: Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs (LSM) / LTV, The Office of the President of Ukraine, The Office of the President of Ukraine
