Do you think he really cares much for me anymore?

so theres this guy, and we used to be a couple, but hes going away for a year back to his home country, and there will be barely any communication as he will be extremely busy. So, he thought about it and said we should distance ourselves now as we may not see each other for that year and maybe a longer time. So, I had a very hard time with it, hes going in a month or so, so I though if he really loved me he wouldve not broken up even if hes going away. I asked him about it and he says hes still into me but he didnt want to hurt me. I think him being is distant in the same room with me is more hurtful, it seems hes more comfortable talking to my best friend than me. It just made things awkward and stuff, we used to be super close. But now Im thinking maybe that was an excuse (I dont want to hurt you) because it was an easy way to break up. So, do you think he still cares about me alot?? Please give me your input and be honest, thanks in advance