Budanov: World security is only possible after collapse of Russia as empire

He said this in an interview with the Lebanese news portal Al-Modon, Ukrinform reports.

According to him, Russia has changed over the past 12 years – it has become poorer across all areas: economic, political, and demographic. However, Budanov noted, one thing has remained unchanged: the imperial ambitions of the Russian Federation.

“The only thing that has remained constant is its imperial ambitions. And this is precisely what must be eradicated completely in order to make Russia a civilized country. Will we be able to achieve this? Absolutely, it is our goal. Unfortunately, it won't happen in the immediate future. But I am confident that we will achieve our goals, if not now, then soon,” he stated.

The head of the Office of the President emphasized that regime changes in Russia have not changed its essence. “The change of regimes in Russia has not changed its essence. Regardless of its current name, its main ideology has not changed. The Russian authorities have never aimed to improve the living conditions of their citizens, whether in the Tsarist era, the Soviet era, or in the current stage of oligarchic capitalism… In general, the policies of the current Russian president do not differ significantly from those of the Tsarist or Soviet eras,” Budanov noted. 

In his opinion, it is futile to expect that Russia will change again due to internal factors. “Nor is it worthwhile to expect Russia to change again through internal factors. Instead, we should create the conditions under which Russia will fade away as an empire. Several regional nation-states should emerge within its territory, each concerned with the well-being of its own people. Only then will Ukraine, Europe, and the entire world feel more secure,” the head of the Office of the President said.

Budanov also believes that economic sanctions against Russia should remain in force even after the end of active hostilities, as any other scenario will only encourage new aggression. “Economic sanctions against Russia must remain in place even after the end of active hostilities. Any other scenario would only encourage further aggression. Russia should not be allowed to rebuild its economic capacity to restore its arsenal. Frozen Russian assets and most future profits should be used to pay reparations and rebuild Ukraine,” he stressed.

As reported by Ukrinform, another round of negotiations concluded in Geneva on Thursday. The work took place in two formats, including separately with the American side and in a trilateral meeting with the US and Switzerland.

The subsequent peace talks will take place in Abu Dhabi in early March.