Zelensky’s Call for Support: A Plea for Victory
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine addressed the leaders of the European Union’s 27 member states in Brussels on Thursday, emphasizing the urgent need for their support towards his ambitious “victory plan.” This initiative, he asserts, has the potential to bring an end to the ongoing war by next year, although it remains uncertain how readily Ukraine’s allies will adopt his proposals.
During his impassioned address, Mr. Zelensky sought to galvanize international backing for Ukraine as the nation enters its two and a half years of conflict, facing significant challenges as Ukrainian forces continue to cede ground to Russian troops. He had originally planned to unveil his victory plan at a gathering of European leaders in Germany earlier in the month; however, that event was postponed due to President Biden’s cancellation amidst the fallout from Hurricane Milton.
“You all know Russia’s psychology,” Mr. Zelensky articulated to the E.U. leaders. “Russia will resort to diplomacy only when it recognizes that it can achieve nothing through military force.” This statement highlights the ongoing struggle for Ukraine and the necessity of a robust response from its allies.
Later on Thursday, Mr. Zelensky is expected to hold a press conference with Mark Rutte, the head of NATO, where he will advocate for Ukraine’s integration into the military alliance, a pivotal aspect of his proposals.
The “victory plan” outlines several critical components, including:
- Urging the West to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles, enabling strikes on Russian military installations and ammunition depots.
- Requesting increased sharing of satellite intelligence that Ukraine can leverage to locate and target Russian operations effectively.
Mr. Zelensky publicly detailed this plan for the first time in a speech to his country’s Parliament on Wednesday, aiming to rally domestic support around the notion that Ukraine possesses the capability to shift the dynamics on the battlefield. As winter approaches, Ukraine braces for another challenging season, particularly with Russia intensifying attacks on essential energy infrastructure.
