Russia’s core ideology has never changed, Budanov

The head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, Kyrylo Budanov, has said that Russia’s fundamental ideology has remained unchanged throughout its history and argued that Ukraine must help create conditions in which Russia “as an empire” ceases to exist.

In an interview with the Arab media outlet Al-Modon, Budanov said that changes in Russia’s leadership or official name had not altered what he described as the country’s core nature.

“A change of regime in Russia has not changed its essence. Despite its current name, its fundamental ideology has not changed,” he said.

Budanov argued that Russian authorities - whether during the Tsarist, Soviet or current period - had never prioritised improving the living conditions of their citizens.

“Overall, the policies of Russia’s current president do not significantly differ from those of the Tsarist or Soviet eras,” he said. “We should not expect Russia to change again due to internal factors. We must create conditions under which Russia, as an empire, disappears.”

He added that several regional states should be formed on the territory of the Russian Federation, each focusing on the welfare of its own population.

“Only in this case will Ukraine, Europe and the entire world feel safer,” Budanov said.