Ukrainian Military Intelligence Chief Predicts a Ceasefire With Russia in 2025

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, believes that Ukraine and Russia will reach a ceasefire this year. He made the remarks in an interview with Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, published on February 18.

Budanov called the situation “paradoxical,” given the stark differences between Kyiv’s and Moscow’s positions.

“At the same time, I think we will reach a ceasefire this year,” he said. “How long it will last and how effective it will be remains to be seen, but I believe it will happen. Most of the necessary components are already in place for this to occur.”

Regarding NATO membership, Budanov acknowledged that the issue remains “very complicated,” but emphasized that no other security guarantee format is currently viable. He also questioned the potential effectiveness of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, noting that such efforts have rarely met expectations in other war zones.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he must “move fast” to negotiate an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine or risk losing the country he leads, according to The Associated Press on February 20.

This came shortly after a meeting between American and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on February 18, followed by a phone call between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

While no concrete agreements were made following the U.S.-Russia talks, Ukraine’s exclusion from the meeting raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe.