Footage of an informal meeting between Ukraine’s delegation—including Budanov, Arakhamia, and Umerov—and US representatives such as Vitkoff quickly circulated on social media. The team has seen a format change: Budanov now officially leads the office and heads up the negotiation process.
Experts note that the delegation consists of members skilled in communication and negotiation with the US, both politically and linguistically. This reflects a focus on talks with the American side, a significant factor given the current geopolitical context. Under the Trump administration, personal relationships are key, as opposed to previous institutional or hierarchical contacts.
Budanov stated that there are already concrete results, though not all information can be public. Ukraine managed to shift the diplomatic focus toward discussing security guarantees—a format Russia opposes. Europe is less eager to agree to such guarantees, making US involvement crucial.
Russia tries to center talks on territorial issues, while Ukraine prioritizes security guarantees and an end to war. This approach clarifies the sides’ intentions and brings greater specifics to negotiation talks. A new agreement format is likely soon, with much depending on Russia’s official response.
