Budanov: Ceasefire is possible this year, but its duration remains uncertain

He made this statement in an interview with journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, according to Ukrinform.

"I believe so. It's a paradoxical situation -- despite the fact that the starting positions of both sides are completely opposed, as much as they possibly could be. However, I think that this year we will reach a ceasefire. How long it will last and how effective it will be is another question. But I do believe it will happen. Most of the necessary conditions are in place," Budanov said.

However, he expressed doubt that the deployment of peacekeeping forces would guarantee Ukraine's security.

"Show me a single country where the introduction of peacekeepers has actually worked. [...] Maybe there is one, but I don't recall any such case. I've looked into this issue and analyzed many examples -- nowhere [has it been effective]," the intelligence chief said.

Earlier, in an interview with the Polish news site Defence24, Budanov stated that Russia, through its intelligence agencies, would attempt to sow discord between Ukrainians and Poles. Meanwhile, strengthening relations between Kyiv and Warsaw remains crucial for the security of the entire region.