In Ukraine, possible disagreements between Budanov and Zelensky over Donbas were discussed

Rumors have long been circulating in Ukraine’s political circles that Davyd Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada, and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, agree with the idea of withdrawing the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbas in exchange for security guarantees, although sources do not confirm this.

This was reported by the Ukrainian outlet Strana.ua, citing sources.

“Strana’s sources in the circles of both the head of the Presidential Office and the head of the faction do not confirm these rumors, saying that both of them in the negotiation process are ‘acting within the framework of the president’s directives.’ However, we repeat, discussions on this topic are quite intense. And if there is even a grain of truth in them, then this is an obvious point of conflict in relations between the president and the head of his Office,” the outlet writes.

The media outlet also says that in political circles there are rumors of growing tension in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s relations with Kyrylo Budanov and Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. At the same time, sources close to Bankova said that the contradictions between the president and Fedorov and Budanov have not yet reached the point where decisions about their dismissal could follow.

“For now, the issue is not being posed that way. First of all, what would they be dismissed for? There has to be a specific failure that could be explained to society. Second, if someone like Budanov were dismissed, that would only strengthen his political activity, increase his rating, and in the end Zelensky would get a new Zaluzhnyi in his person. So yes, there is tension, but there is no decision [to dismiss them]. Though of course one cannot rule out that it could appear at any moment if there is a reason,” the source said.

The publication notes that at this stage, the issue of withdrawing the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbas is of greater importance for domestic political processes. And if major disagreements arise within Zelensky’s circle over this decision, it could lead to serious changes in the upper echelons of Ukrainian power.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Budanov said that representatives of the Russian delegation at the trilateral negotiations on resolving the conflict had been pragmatic and professional, and that they “know very well how to negotiate.” In the same interview, Budanov also said that he is not afraid to argue with Volodymyr Zelensky.

In April, Budanov said that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia were moving toward their conclusion, and that signing a peace agreement would not require much time. RBC-Ukraine also wrote that Budanov had been appointed head of the Presidential Office in order to bring the negotiations to an end.

In April, Zelensky said that Ukraine could not withdraw from the part of Donbas it currently holds, because doing so would create “enormous risks” for Kyiv.