Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, expressed concern about the possible disintegration of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union. He believes this could happen as a result of a shift in United States policy. Budanov shared his thoughts in an interview with Nataliya Moseychuk.
Commenting on the words of Vladislav Surkov, former advisor to Vladimir Putin, regarding the potential breakup of NATO and the EU, Budanov noted that such a scenario is not out of the question.
“Although I openly hate him (Surkov, – ed.) for everything he has brought here (to Ukraine, – ed.), I fear this is one of the likely scenarios if everything remains as it is now.”
– Kyrylo Budanov
At the same time, Budanov emphasized that this outcome is not inevitable.
“I’m not saying this is a 100% scenario. But it is one of the likely options if we don’t change our attitude toward what is happening now. Because simply closing our eyes all the time, saying ‘we all sympathize, Russia is doing bad, Ukraine is great,’ but no one has managed to take decisive steps not just to prevent this, but to change it. This pushes everyone into uncertainty about the future development of the current geopolitical formations.”
– Kyrylo Budanov
Additionally, Budanov expressed doubts about the long-term existence of large alliances.
“I generally don’t fully believe in broad alliances. I believe they can exist, but only for a limited period of time. To exist realistically, not just nominally, and to function effectively. I believe in bilateral relations. I believe in alliances built on a shared economy and mutual defense of interests.”
– Kyrylo Budanov