Ukrainian negotiating team splits into supporters of current and former heads of President's Office, The Economist says

The Economist reports that divisions are emerging within Ukraine's negotiating team. One group is supporting Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, and favouring a swift US-brokered deal with Russia, while another group aligned with Andrii Yermak, former chief of the President's Office, is less optimistic.

Source: The Economist

Details: The Economist says that both Russia and Ukraine selected more pragmatic figures for their negotiating teams in 2026.

In particular, Kyrylo Budanov, former head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, made a strong impression as the de-facto new head of the Ukrainian delegation.

One source close to the Ukrainian team assessed the chances of a breakthrough in the negotiations as "50-50".

Meanwhile, the Kremlin unexpectedly reinstated Vladimir Medinsky as head of its negotiating team. The Economist's columnist describes Medinsky as "a demagogue with a penchant for historical fantasy".

Quote: "Divisions are also emerging within Ukraine's delegation. One wing, centred on Mr Budanov, believes Ukraine's interests are best served by a swift American-led agreement, and fears the window for action may soon close. But another wing, apparently still influenced by the controversial former chief of staff Andrii Yermak, who departed in a corruption scandal, is much less keen. Mr Zelenskyy appears to be balancing between them, while also having his own ideas."

Background: On 17 February, a new round of peace negotiations in a trilateral format between Ukraine, the United States and Russia began in Geneva.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!