Ukraine's Budanov faces Russian FSB official accused of plotting his assassination at peace talks
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, came face-to-face with a senior Russian security official accused by Ukrainian intelligence of orchestrating an assassination attempt against him seven years ago, during peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10, Le Monde reported.
The official, Dmitry Minaev, heads counterintelligence operations at Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and was part of the Russian delegation at the US-mediated negotiations.
According to Le Monde, Budanov appeared almost amused by the encounter, as if recognizing another provocation by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian intelligence believes Minaev organized a plot to kill Budanov in 2019, when he was serving as a military intelligence officer.
In April of that year, two Russian nationals attempted to plant an explosive device beneath a car belonging to Budanov in Kyiv. The bomb detonated while it was being installed, thwarting the attack. The two men were subsequently convicted in Ukraine.
Russian independent outlet Agentstvo also reported Minaev's presence at the negotiations. According to the outlet, his FSB department was involved in operations targeting American citizens in Russia, including the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
The encounter took place during the first day of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi, aimed at finding a way to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian delegation includes Budanov, Rustem Umerov, parliamentary faction leader Davyd Arakhamia, diplomat Sergiy Kyslytsya and deputy military intelligence chief Vadym Skibitskyi. Russia's delegation includes presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, while the US is represented by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The first day of negotiations produced no tangible breakthrough, according to Le Monde. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the discussions as constructive, while Russia remained opposed to the ceasefire sought by Ukraine.
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