International Desk //

A ceasefire is needed in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia before the end of this year. The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, has made this claim. He made this comment in an interview published in Bloomberg on Friday. RT News.

Budanov said that a ceasefire needs to be reached as soon as possible and that long before this year.

He also said that it is realistic and not difficult. It requires at least three parties – Ukraine, Russia and the United States. And we will get to that point.

This statement came at a time when Ukrainian troops are retreating in various parts of the frontline.

Ukraine’s operation in the Kursk region of Russia failed in 2024 and suffered huge losses. In addition, the Ukrainian military is also having problems recruiting new members.

Russia has rejected the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Moscow says Kiev and its Western allies must first meet a number of conditions. They are:

* Withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Russian-controlled territory

* End of Ukrainian military deployments

* End of foreign military aid

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of offering a ceasefire to allow it to rearm and rebuild its army. He has also warned that Moscow will not accept NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine in the name of a ceasefire.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said preparations were underway for a third round of direct talks in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told a conference in Rome on Thursday that the prisoner exchange agreement reached in Istanbul on June 2 must be implemented before the talks can begin.

He expressed his opinion.