---
title: "Budanov Denies Le Monde Insiders Regarding Dispute with Witkoff During October 9 Negotiations"
description: "OP Head Budanov has denied Le Monde insiders about a tense episode during the October 9 negotiations with Witkoff, calling them an «information attack on the negotiation process.»"
date: 2026-10-28T09:26:51.862Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/budanov-denies-le-monde-insiders-witkoff-talks
tags: [ukraine-us-negotiations, budanov, witkoff, le-monde, diesel-agreement, trump-putin, information-warfare]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Budanov Denies Le Monde Insiders Regarding Dispute with Witkoff During October 9 Negotiations

![Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov during an official meeting in a dark tactical jacket](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/budanov-oproverz-insaydy-le-monde-o-peregovorah-s-witkoffom/budanov-oproverz-insaydy-le-monde-o-peregovorah-s-witkoffom-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Budanov stated that Le Monde insiders regarding the details of the October 9 negotiations are untrue
- Le Monde, citing an unnamed source, described Budanov's sharp reaction to Witkoff's «regional prosperity plan»
- According to Le Monde, negotiations completely stalled after news of Trump's «diesel agreement» with Russia
- Budanov categorized the publication as part of «information attacks on the negotiation process»

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov has publicly denied information published in international media concerning the details of the negotiation process between the Ukrainian and American delegations. In a statement made on October 28, the head of the OP dismissed the disseminated information as «untrue» and qualified it as part of «information attacks on the negotiation process.» «Regarding the alleged insider details of communication — the information is untrue, nothing of the kind ever happened. Right now, we are witnessing information attacks on the negotiation process. It is important to keep a cool head and remember our key goal: a sustainable peace for Ukraine. We are doing everything for this,» Budanov stated.

### What Le Monde Published

The catalyst for the OP head's reaction was an article published earlier in October by the French newspaper Le Monde. Citing an unnamed source present at the October 9 talks, the publication described a tense episode during the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations. According to the source, US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff proposed a so-called «regional prosperity plan,» which envisioned the full restoration of Russian oil and gas transit to Europe via Ukrainian territory in exchange for dividends for Kyiv. Witkoff, according to the interlocutor, called the initiative mutually beneficial.

### «Our Model is Not Belarus, but Poland»

Le Monde also reported that Budanov reacted sharply to Witkoff's proposal, stating: «Our model is not Belarus, but Poland!» According to the same source, following these words, Budanov interrupted the negotiations and called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The publication added that negotiations completely broke down when the Ukrainian delegation learned about a «diesel agreement» concluded between Donald Trump and Russia shortly before the meeting. Witkoff, according to Le Monde, irritably told the Ukrainians: «Accept this diesel agreement and stop strikes on Russian oil refineries! You are putting the world in danger!»

### Context: The Diesel Agreement and US Reaction

The fact of the «diesel agreement» itself has been confirmed: on October 9, Donald Trump announced an «extremely successful conversation» with Vladimir Putin and an agreement on supplies of Russian diesel fuel to the global market. Following this, the US Department of the Treasury announced the issuance of a temporary general license authorizing the respective supplies. The agreement drew criticism within the US as well — American lawmakers registered a bill aimed at blocking the Russian diesel deal.

### Information War Around the Negotiations

Budanov's denial came against the backdrop of details regarding the negotiation process between Kyiv and Washington becoming the target of intense informational pressure. According to the OP head's assessment, the publication of unverified insider reports creates artificial tension and distracts from the primary task of achieving sustainable peace. At the same time, neither the Ukrainian nor the American side had publicly commented on the substance of the October 9 conversation prior to Budanov's statement, which observers note makes the OP head's denial the first official comment on the substance of Le Monde's leaks.

## Accounts differ

### Course and details of the negotiations between the Ukrainian and American delegations on October 9

- **Le Monde (unnamed source present at the negotiations):** Witkoff proposed a «regional prosperity plan» regarding the transit of Russian gas and oil through Ukraine; Budanov reacted sharply, saying «Our model is not Belarus, but Poland!», interrupted the talks and called Zelenskyy; negotiations broke down completely after news of the diesel agreement; Witkoff told the Ukrainians they must accept the agreement and stop strikes on oil refineries ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/budanov-vidreaguvav-insaydi-nibito-superechku-1793178634.html))
- **Kyrylo Budanov (Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine):** Information regarding the details of communication during the negotiations is untrue, «simply did not happen»; the publication is part of «information attacks on the negotiation process» ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/budanov-vidreaguvav-insaydi-nibito-superechku-1793178634.html))

*Where they agree:* Negotiations between the Ukrainian and American delegations took place on October 9; Trump's «diesel agreement» with Russia was concluded shortly before the meeting

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Буданов отреагировал на инсайды о якобы споре с Уиткоффом](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/budanov-vidreaguvav-insaydi-nibito-superechku-1793178634.html) - Budanov's quote and the description of Le Monde's material are confirmed. The negotiation details (Budanov's remark, call to Zelenskyy, Witkoff's words) are based on a single unnamed Le Monde source and have not been directly confirmed by either party.

## FAQ

### What specifically did Budanov deny?

Budanov denied insiders about the «details of communication» during the October 9 negotiations published by Le Monde. He stated that the information is «untrue» and «simply did not happen».

### What did Le Monde write about the negotiations?

Citing an unnamed source present at the talks, Le Monde described Witkoff's proposal for a «regional prosperity plan,» Budanov's sharp reaction, and the breakdown of negotiations after news of Trump's «diesel agreement» with Russia.

### Is Trump's «diesel agreement» with Russia confirmed?

Yes. On October 9, Trump publicly announced an agreement with Putin on supplying Russian diesel, and the US Treasury issued a temporary general license for such supplies. A bill to block the deal has been introduced in the US Congress.

### Did the American side comment on Le Monde's leaks?

According to available data, prior to Budanov's statement, neither the American nor the Ukrainian side had publicly commented on the substance of Le Monde's leaks until the OP head's denial.