RequestUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at shifting the tide of the war in favor of Kyiv and potentially ending the conflict with Russia by next year. In a speech to the Ukrainian Parliament on October 16, Zelensky urged allies to lift restrictions on long-range weapon usage across all Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, as well as within Russia and against enemy military infrastructure. He also called for assistance in supplying reserve brigades.
The “Victory Plan,” consisting of five key points, rejects any notion of territorial compromise and calls for Ukraine to be invited to join the NATO military alliance. Additionally, it seeks a comprehensive non-nuclear deterrence package for Kyiv.
Zelensky announced that he would provide further details of the plan at an upcoming European Union summit in Brussels. He has discussed the initiative with leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that Ukraine should “come to its senses,” accusing Zelensky of merely disguising an American plan. Moscow openly opposes Ukraine’s NATO membership, citing it as a justification for initiating the war in February 2022.
Kyiv is awaiting feedback on the plan from a meeting initially scheduled to take place at Ramstein Air Base in Germany last week, which was postponed due to President Joe Biden’s cancellation of his trip because of Hurricane Milton.
Zelensky expressed hope for a response to the plan before the U.S. presidential elections on November 5, as a victory for Republican candidate Donald Trump could undermine Washington’s support for Kyiv.
This announcement comes as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, particularly advancing in the key town of Pokrovsk. On October 16, Russia launched attacks using 136 drones and two missiles, with the Ukrainian Air Force reporting that most missiles were intercepted by air defense systems.
