09/15/2026
Kirill Budanov is trying to play ahead by maintaining contacts with representatives of the Russian system. Clinton Institute professor Scott Lucas believes that in this way the head of the Presidential Office can put additional pressure on the Kremlin, influence Vladimir Putin’s position, and demonstrate to Washington the presence of additional leverage over Moscow.
The expert recalled Budanov’s words to The New York Times that the Ukrainian side maintains contact with people in Russia.
For the Kremlin, the professor is convinced, the very publicity of such contacts is a signal. It shows that Kyiv has connections within the Russian system and interacts with representatives of its various groups.
Lucas called Budanov’s words about unofficial channels of communication with Russian intelligence representatives a separate marker. He noted that this came at about the same time as CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s statements about contacts with the Russian side.
“Ratcliffe openly meets with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow, and Budanov says, ‘I communicate with them through unofficial channels.’ What are they trying to say? Russian policy is not just about what Vladimir Putin wants. There are other people involved in this process,” the expert explained.
According to Lucas, this approach could create additional leverage to pressure the Russian president through representatives of the system itself. Among the possible goals, he mentioned the involvement of Russian security forces and intelligence representatives in supporting the ceasefire.
In a broader context, the professor links this tactic to the desire of the leadership of the President’s Office to change the US position towards Russia and create conditions for increasing pressure on Moscow.
Previously, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, announced direct contacts with representatives of Russian military intelligence, in particular with its head, Admiral Igor Kostyukov.