Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented to MPs a long-awaited “victory strategy” aimed at strengthening his country’s position to end the war with Russia.
Zelensky told parliament in Kyiv that the plan could end the war – which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – next year.
Key elements include a formal invitation to join NATO, an end to military exercises with Western-supplied weapons deep in Russia, a refusal to trade territory with the Ukrainian monarchy, and continued incursions into Russia’s western Kursk region. .
The Kremlin dismissed the plan through a spokesman, saying Kyiv needed to “come to its senses”.
Speaking to members of Parliament on Wednesday, Zelensky also criticized China, Iran and North Korea for their support for Russia, describing them as a “coalition of criminals”.
He also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone “crazy” describing him as someone who is determined to fight.
Zelenksky said he will present a victory plan at the EU summit on Thursday.
“We are at war with Russia on the battlefield, in international relations, in the economy, in the field of information, and in the hearts of the people,” he told parliament.
The plan presented by Zelensky consists of five important points:
- It invites Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance
- The strengthening of Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces, including obtaining permission from allies to use their long weapons on Russian territory, and the continuation of Ukrainian military operations on Russian territory to avoid the creation of “buffer zones” in Ukraine.
- Containing Russia is using a non-nuclear strategic deterrent package deployed on Ukrainian soil
- Joint protection by the US and the EU of Ukraine’s valuable natural resources and joint use of their economic potential
- For the post-war era only: replacing US troops stationed across Europe with Ukrainian troops
The three “additions” remain confidential and will be shared only with Ukrainian partners, Zelensky said.
In the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, residents who spoke to the BBC were overwhelmingly supportive of the plan.
“We shouldn’t give up on the area,” said one man, adding that he hoped Ukraine would still have a chance to join Nato and gain more support from its allies.
The woman said it all depends on what security guarantees Ukraine will be able to get.
Another woman emphasized that “people want to end the war as soon as possible”.
Zelensky’s plan presented to US President Joe Bidenand presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, back in September.
Important partners such as Britain, France, Italy and Germany are also reported to have been shown this plan.
On Wednesday evening, Zelensky spoke to Biden informing him of his “plan for victory”.
He also thanked America for new $425m (£327m) defense aid to Ukraine, which includes air defense systems and long-range weapons.
The White House said the package included “a range of additional capabilities”, including air defense and weapons systems, as well as ammunition and hundreds of armored vehicles.
It said about Zelensky’s “victory plan” that “the two leaders gave their delegations to continue to discuss the next steps”.
Last month, US officials were quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying that the Biden administration was concerned that the plan lacked a comprehensive strategy, and was little more than a repackaged request for more weapons and the removal of restrictions on the use of long weapons. various arrows.
Ukrainian and Western analysts have also suggested that the White House is keen to show that it wants to avoid further tensions with Russia in the run-up to the US presidential election.
Zelensky’s peaceful attitudes are increasingly at odds with the situation around him.
In front of members of Parliament, he admitted the growing fatigue in his country. His tiredness was concentrated on his face as he said “victory has become a somewhat uncomfortable word and it is not easy to achieve.”
National morale has been slowly crumbling under the weight of rising death tolls, controversial mobilization legislation and Russia’s relentless incursions into Ukrainian territory.
It is increasingly thought that any peace agreement will have to include Ukraine as a concessionaire in order to receive security guarantees.
However, there was no hint of a compromise to bring the war to an end. Instead, Zelensky doubled down on wanting to force Russia to negotiate and not give up Ukrainian territory, with his military reinforcements.
He also said that his comprehensive plan could be implemented with the consent of his allies, not Russia.
In public, Zelensky clearly still sees the war as one, and warned against Russian President Vladimir Putin continuing to strengthen his position.
He also appeared to present his vision as an investment opportunity for Western partners in terms of natural resources and economic power.
Ukraine’s president wants his tired soldiers to keep fighting.
But since his army relies heavily on Western aid, his “strategy for victory” will need the approval of the next US president.
Reacting to Zelensky’s plan, the new Secretary General of Nato Mark Rutte described it as a “strong signal” from Kyiv.
“That doesn’t mean that I here can say that I support the whole plan – that would be difficult because there are many things that we need to understand better.”
Mr Rutte added: “I am absolutely convinced that in the future, Ukraine will join us [Nato].”
Shortly after Zelensky finished speaking, the Kremlin dismissed his “endless peace plan,” saying Kyiv needed to “come to its senses”.
The only way the war would end is for Ukraine to “realize the futility of the policy it is pursuing,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
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