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.”
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.
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.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
