The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented the MPs with an eagerly awaited “victory” plan that aims at strengthening his country’s positions enough to end its war with Russia.
Zelensky said in Kyiv’s parliament that the plan could end the war, which began in February 2022 with Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine.
The key elements are a formal invitation from Nato to join, the lifting of restrictions by allies on long-range attacks on Russia, the refusal to cede any more Ukrainian territory and the continuation of an incursion into the Kursk area of Russia.
The Kremlin rejected the plan, with a spokesperson saying Kyiv had to “sober-up”.
Zelensky, in his address to MPs, also criticised China and Iran for their support of Russia and called them a “coalition criminals”.
He said that he would present his victory plan at the EU summit on Thursday.
Zelensky said in parliament that “we are at war with Russia in the battlefield, international relations, the economy, the information sphere and in the hearts of the people.”
Zelensky’s plan is composed of five main points:
* Inviting Ukraine for Nato membership
* The strengthening of Ukrainian defense against Russian forces including getting permission from NATO allies to use long-range weapons in Russian territory and the continuation of Ukraine’s military operations to avoid creating “buffer zones” within Ukraine
* Containment by Russia through a non-nuclear deterrent system deployed on Ukrainian soil
* Joint protection of Ukraine’s natural resources by the US and EU and joint use of its economic potential
* Only for the post-war period: replace some US troops stationed in Europe with Ukrainian troops
Zelensky stated that three “addendums”, which are still secret, will only be shared by Ukraine’s partners.
In September, the plan was presented to US president Joe Biden as well as presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump.
The plan was reportedly shown to key allies including Britain, France and Germany.
Zelensky’s peace conditions are in conflict with the reality of the situation.
He acknowledged to MPs the growing fatigue of his country. As he said, “victory is not easy to achieve and has become an uncomfortable word for some.” His tiredness was visible on his face.
The national morale has been slowly deteriorating due to the mounting death tolls, a controversial mobilization law and Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.
In order to achieve a peace agreement, Ukraine would need to give up territory in exchange of security guarantees.
There was no sign of a compromise that would bring the war to a close. Zelensky, however, redoubled his efforts to demand Russia’s withdrawal by strengthening his own military.
He also claimed that his extensive plan can be implemented only with the consent of his allies and not Russia.
Zelensky, in public, still views this war as being existential and warns of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued strengthening position.
He also seemed frame his vision in terms of investment opportunities for Western allies, both in terms natural resources and economic prospects.
The Ukrainian president wants to continue fighting with his exhausted troops.
But because his army is so dependent on Western aid, the next US President will have to approve his “victory plans”.
After Zelensky’s speech, the Kremlin blasted his “ephemeral plan for peace”, saying that Kyiv should “sober-up”.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said that the only way to end the war was for Ukraine to “realise its futility in the policy it is following.”
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