Zelenskyy’s “Victory Plan” to be Presented to Ukrainian Parliament
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is poised to unveil his ambitious strategy to secure victory in the ongoing war against Russia during a session of the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday. This announcement follows a series of discussions with Western allies, who have shown a lukewarm response to his proposals. Dubbed the “victory plan,” this comprehensive roadmap outlines the conditions under which Ukraine could consider negotiating peace.
Widely regarded as Ukraine’s last chance to bolster its negotiating position in potential ceasefire discussions with Russia, the plan has yet to receive public endorsement from any nation. Despite presenting his proposals to several European leaders during his recent tour, which included stops in major capitals such as London and Berlin, there has been a notable lack of enthusiasm. These leaders have not indicated their willingness to support the plan, and some have expressed concerns regarding the tight timeline set by Zelenskyy, who has urged allies to adopt the plan’s key components within a three-month window established in late September.
US President Joe Biden, who was the first to hear about the plan during Zelenskyy’s tour of the United States, has also refrained from publicly endorsing it. While the exact details of the plan remain largely undisclosed, several pivotal elements have emerged. These include:
- Integrating Ukraine as a formal member of NATO.
- Granting Ukraine access to Western long-range weaponry for strikes deep within Russian territory.
- Providing essential resources to enhance Ukraine’s air defense and overall military capabilities.
- Intensifying sanctions against Russia to weaken its military and economic standing.
Zelenskyy asserts that implementing this “victory plan” is critical for Ukraine to initiate meaningful peace negotiations. The urgency to finalize this plan is heightened by the upcoming US presidential election, as Zelenskyy aims to solidify support before a potential shift in US foreign policy, particularly following remarks from Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, suggesting he might significantly reduce or cut funding to Ukraine.
The presentation of the plan to Ukraine’s Parliament, which was announced earlier this week by presidential adviser Serhii Leshchenko, coincides with a challenging period for the Ukrainian military, which is currently facing substantial losses on the eastern front as Russian forces advance towards the city of Pokrovsk.
Ukraine has long found itself at a military disadvantage, often outnumbered by Russian forces, grappling with limited ammunition supplies, and struggling to mobilize sufficient troops for the conflict. Ukrainian officials had anticipated receiving feedback from Western allies during the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This assembly of over 50 partner nations is crucial for coordinating military aid. However, the summit, originally scheduled for this past weekend, was postponed after President Biden canceled his attendance due to Hurricane Milton in the US.
While the United States has been a key supporter of Ukraine, Biden’s administration has displayed hesitancy regarding the use of long-range weapons against Russia, mainly due to concerns about potential escalation. Many analysts predict that the Democratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris would likely continue Biden’s existing policies, aiming to maintain the current status quo.
On the other hand, Trump has claimed that he could bring an end to the war, yet he has not provided specific details on how he would achieve this. Meanwhile, both Brazil and China have proposed alternative peace plans; however, Zelenskyy has firmly rejected these proposals, arguing that they would merely serve to pause the conflict, allowing Russia time to regroup and strengthen its military position.