- Zelensky outlines “victory plan” to end war by 2025
- Plan includes NATO invitation and long-range strikes on Russia
- Kremlin dismisses the proposal, urging Ukraine to reconsider
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has provided MPs with a long-awaited “victory plan” to strengthen his country’s position enough to end the conflict with Russia.
Zelensky told lawmakers in Kyiv that the strategy may end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, by next year.
Essential parts include:
- A formal invitation to join NATO.
- The easing of allies’ prohibitions on long-range strikes against Russia.
- A refusal to exchange Ukraine’s lands and sovereignty.
- The continuation of the incursion into Russia’s Kursk area.
The Kremlin rejected the initiative, with a spokeswoman saying Kyiv needed to “sober up.”
Addressing MPs, Zelensky also criticized China, Iran, and North Korea for supporting Russia, referring to them as a “coalition of criminals.
He said he would unveil the victory plan at an EU summit on Thursday.
Zelensky informed lawmakers that we are at war with Russia on the battlefield, in international relations, the economy, the information realm, and in people’s emotions.
Zelensky’s plan consists of five main points:
Inviting Ukraine to join NATO
They are strengthening Ukrainian defense against Russian forces, including obtaining permission from allies to use their long-range weaponry on Russian territory and continuing Ukraine’s military operations on Russian territory to avoid the development of “buffer zones” in Ukraine.
Containment of Russia using a non-nuclear strategic deterrent package installed on Ukrainian territory
The US and the EU will jointly conserve Ukraine’s critical natural resources and harness their economic potential.
For the postwar time only, some US forces stationed around Europe were replaced with Ukrainian troops.
Zelensky stated that three “addendums” would be kept confidential and only communicated with Ukraine’s partners.
In September, the concept was submitted to US President Joe Biden, as well as presidential contenders Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
The proposal was also apparently shown to crucial allies such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany.
However, Zelensky’s terms for peace are increasingly at variance with the circumstances surrounding him.
In front of MPs, he acknowledged the growing tiredness in his country. His exhaustion was visible on his face as he stated, “victory has become for some an uncomfortable word and it’s not easy to achieve.”
National morale has gradually deteriorated as a result of rising death tolls, a contentious mobilization law, and never-ending Russian assaults on Ukrainian territories.
It is increasingly believed that any peace deal will require Ukraine to give up land in exchange for security guarantees.
However, there was no indication of a compromise that would bring the battle to a conclusion. Instead, Zelensky reiterated his desire to force Russia to negotiate rather than lose Ukraine’s borders by boosting his military.
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He further asserted that his broad plan could be implemented with his allies’ approval, not Russia’s.
In public, Zelensky still considers this fight existential, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue to strengthen his position.
He also positioned his goal as an opportunity for Western friends to invest in natural resources and economic development.
The Ukrainian president wants his tired men to continue fighting.
With his army so reliant on Western funding, his “victory plan” will require permission from the next US president.
The Kremlin dismissed Zelensky’s “ephemeral peace plan,” saying Kyiv needs to “sober up.”
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the only way the war could stop was for Ukraine to “realise the futility of the policy it is pursuing. “
