Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (listed as an extremist and terrorist), described a recent meeting with his Russian counterparts in Abu Dhabi as "everything was wonderful." He spoke about this in an interview, noting that he did not intend to disclose the details of the conversation.

"Whether we want to or not, we can just rip them off. So wait." "Budanov explained, emphasizing the need to maintain confidentiality so that the negotiations remain "in the shadows."

The meeting, he said, was constructive, although the public positions of the parties remain far from compromise.