Former US President Donald Trump is a stubborn man, Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “victim of his propaganda,” says Kyrylo Budanov, head of the secret service in Ukraine.
Kiev – In Ukraine they call him the man without a smile. This refers to Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence and a war hero in his home country. From 2014 to 2016 he fought behind the Russian front and was seriously injured several times. In 2016, he took part in an operation in which a Russian FSB lieutenant general was assassinated.
A meme of Budanov is circulating on the Internet, his face can be seen nine times, including the words “happy”, “sad”, “angry”, “annoyed”, “hopeful” - Budanov's expression always remains the same: serious, determined. Budanov's style appeals to Ukrainians; he is considered extremely popular among the population.
Budanov predicts a major Russian offensive in June
That's why Budanov's statements to the US
Washington Post
made many people sit up and take notice. Budanov told the newspaper that he was predicting a major Russian offensive in June. Russia will try to conquer all areas in Donetsk and Luhansk, two areas that the country claims but does not completely control. In the hope that as much as possible could be conquered before the election in the USA and Donald Trump, who might then be re-elected, could officially ratify the territories as Russian.
“I have a lot of respect for Trump,” Budanov said on the subject, according to the
Washington Post
. Because he attended a military academy and was also extremely stubborn. He had been at the top of his life several times, then fallen back to the bottom, only to get back up again. But not even a person like him “could solve the problem (the war in Ukraine, editor’s note) in one day.”
Video: According to Budanov, Ukraine only attacks military targets
Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, is a “victim of his own propaganda”. He incited his people too much by repeatedly telling them that Russia was “the most powerful and powerful power in the world” until they believed it themselves. But now it turns out that his military is not as powerful as they thought.
Budanov announced that Ukraine wanted to rely more on attacks in Russian regions in the future in the fight against Russia. Partisans have been active in the Belgorod region, among other places, for months. The aim is to show Putin that he cannot “protect his population from war coming to Russia.” In Saint Petersburg people sit relaxed in front of the TV. “But people get nervous when facilities near their homes are attacked.” (fmü)