The journalist asked him if he sees a solution to the territorial issue in conditions when sociology shows that Ukrainians are against the defense forces leaving Donbass, as the aggressor country of the Russian Federation wants.
“Why do you think that when I talk about resolving the territorial issue, this means giving it to someone? I am, in principle, against giving anything to someone,” Budanov answered. “A compromise is not when one is happy and the other is upset. It is when both are upset. That’s a compromise.”
During the interview, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate noted that “the negotiation process is about finding a compromise.”
“If we say that conditions are dictated to us, and we accept them, this is not negotiations, it is called a little differently. Negotiations are about finding a compromise. It is clear here that it will not be simple. It will not be joyful – for either side. These will be some non-standard, perhaps, decisions. They will not be easy,” Budanov said.
