Zelensky unveils anticipated ‘Victory Plan’ for Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday publicly unveiled his “Victory Plan” for Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia, following closed-door pitches with world leaders and including the two U.S. presidential candidates.

In a speech to Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Zelensky outlined five major points that focus on building up the country’s defense capacity to deter Russian aggression.

Ukraine also will seek to integrate economic and military connections to Europe and the U.S. as a way to more deeply tie the fates of those governments together as a defense against Russia.

“For our partners, it is completely practical to help us not only endure but also prevail in war for our lives. In doing so, they will help themselves just as much,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader called the implementation of the plan “time-based” and that it can be used to “end the war no later than next year.”

The Kremlin reportedly said it was too early to comment in detail on Zelensky’s plan, but Kyiv needed to “sober up” and realize the futility of the policies it was pursuing.

Zelensky appealed to the coalition of American and European partners to push back against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reliance on rogue states like North Korea. Ukrainian intelligence has documented the transfer from Pyongyang of both weapons and people, he said, adding North Koreans are working in Russian factories and “personnel for the Russian army.” 

He called out Iran’s support for Putin and China’s cooperation with Russia as further underscoring the imperative for democratic nations to stand with Ukraine. 

“Putin will manage to significantly strengthen himself next year, to strengthen himself to the point where diplomacy will be permanently abandoned,” he said.

“Russia must lose the war against Ukraine. And this is not a ‘freeze.’ And it is not trading Ukraine’s territory or sovereignty.”

Zelensky’s five points are:

• NATO extending a membership invitation to Ukraine. “This means certainty about how our partners truly see the place of all of us, Ukraine’s place in the security architecture,” Zelensky said.

• Strengthening Ukraine’s defensive operations against Russia, including lifting restrictions on the use of long-range missiles to strike beyond Russia’s border; delivery of weapons that can attack and destroy Russia’s offensive operations; scaling up air defense systems to protect against Russian missiles and drones; investing in Ukraine’s own missile and drone production capabilities; and providing Ukraine with real-time intelligence to strike Russian targets.

• Implementing “comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package on its territory” and said details of the plan are included in a secret annex that has been shared with the U.S., U.K., France, Italy and Germany. 

• Offering to enter into agreements with the U.S. and European Union on the joint protection and investment in development of the country’s critical minerals section as an economic incentive. “The deposits of critical resources in Ukraine, along with Ukraine’s globally important energy and food production potential, are among the key predatory objectives of the Russian Federation in this war,” Zelensky said. 

• For the post-war period, offering Ukrainian troops to replace U.S. military contingents stationed in Europe, saying that the Ukrainian Armed Forces experience gained in the war against Russia can be used to strengthen the continent’s defense. 

Zelensky said he will present the victory plan at a meeting of the European Council and added that while Ukraine is open to diplomacy, it must be based on justice. 

“Russia must permanently lose control over Ukraine and even the desire for such control. All these possibilities,” he said.

Zelensky’s promotion of the victory plan comes against the backdrop of increased strains on international support for Ukraine and questions over the durability and commitment from the U.S., in particular. Former President Trump, the Republican nominee for president, has raised concern among Ukraine’s supporters that he would hold back American military support to Kyiv in favor of a negotiated deal with Putin. 

There’s also concern over the Biden administration’s strategy toward Ukraine, with critics faulting President Biden for giving Kyiv the tools to only defend itself against Russia but holding back military power to turn the tide of the war — in particular a ban on Ukraine using U.S.-provided weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. Ukraine’s supporters are concerned such cautious-policy positions would persist if Vice President Harris is successful in the presidential election. 

Updated at 1:25 p.m.