Zelensky Presents ‘Victory Plan’ To Parliament

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented MPs with a long-awaited “victory plan” that aims to strengthen his country’s position enough to end the war with Russia.

Zelensky told parliament in Kyiv that the plan could finish the war – which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – by next year.

Key elements include a formal invitation to join Nato, the lifting by allies of restrictions on long-range strikes on Russia, a refusal to cede more Ukrainian territory, and the continuation of the incursion into the Kursk region of Russia.

The Kremlin dismissed the plan with a spokesman saying Kyiv needed to “sober up.”

Addressing MPs, Zelensky also criticised China, Iran, and North Korea for their backing of Russia and described them as a “coalition of criminals.”

He said he would present the victory plan at an EU summit on Thursday.

“We are at war with Russia on the battlefield, in international relations, in the economy, in the information sphere, and in people’s hearts,” Zelensky told parliament.

The plan outlined by Zelensky consists of five key points:

●Inviting Ukraine to join Nato
●The strengthening of Ukrainian defence against Russian forces, including getting permission from allies to use their long-range weapons on Russian territory, and the continuation of Ukraine’s military operations on Russian territory to avoid creation of the “buffer zones” in Ukraine
●Containment of Russia via a non-nuclear strategic deterrent package deployed on Ukrainian soil
●Joint protection by the US and the EU of Ukraine’s critical natural resources and joint use of their economic potentialFor the post-war period only: ●replacing some US troops stationed across Europe with Ukrainian troops

Three “addendums” remain secret and will only be shared with Ukraine’s partners, Zelensky said.

The plan was presented to US President Joe Biden, as well as presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, back in September.

Key allies such as Britain, France, Italy, and Germany have also reportedly been shown the plan.

However, Zelensky’s conditions for peace are increasingly at odds with the situation that surrounds him.

BBC/Shakirat Sadiq