Zelensky Discusses 'Victory Plan' with Ukrainian Allies

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, who is traveling to major European capitals to discuss his proposed 'Victory Plan' with allies, met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday, October 20, and asked him to assist in the release of Ukrainians held captive in Russia. Mr. Zelensky also invited the Vatican to participate in a conference on war prisoners that is set to take place soon in Canada. The Vatican did not provide details of the conversation between Zelensky and Pope Francis but stated that the meeting included discussions about the state of the war and ways to end it. The Ukrainian President also spoke with leaders from Britain, France, and Italy, as well as the new NATO Secretary-General, about his proposed 'Victory Plan.' Earlier, Zelensky emphasized during the first visit of the new NATO Secretary-General to Kyiv that he wants to see Kyiv's allies shoot down Russian missiles and drones, just as some of Israel's allies did during the Islamic Republic's missile attacks on Israel. With less than a month until the U.S. presidential election and winter approaching amid Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, Zelensky is seeking more support from his Western allies in an effort to change the balance on the battlefield. One of his key requests from Western countries is to lift restrictions on the use of their long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. A spokesperson for Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, emphasized after the meeting between Zelensky and Starmer that Ukraine has the right to attack targets within Russian territory 'in specific circumstances,' but stated that the UK's position on the use of long-range missiles known as 'Storm Shadow' has not changed. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure continue. On Friday, October 20, Oleg Kiper, the governor of the Odessa region, announced that a Russian missile struck a commercial building there, killing four people, including a 16-year-old girl. This was the fourth Russian attack on the port of Odessa on the Black Sea and its surrounding areas in the past five days. Exports through Black Sea ports are vital for Ukraine's economy, which has been severely damaged since the Russian invasion. The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported that Russian forces attacked civilian infrastructure with Iskander missiles on Thursday night, October 19. The Ukrainian Air Force announced that it shot down 29 out of 66 Russian drones that were launched at Ukraine overnight. With the intensification of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, the Russian Defense Minister emphasized the 'important role' of AI-equipped drones in this war and called for further training of troops on how to use them. The ministry announced plans to form five additional units to carry out AI-based drone missions. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, stated last month that Russia has increased drone production this year by about tenfold, reaching nearly 1.4 million units. During the invasion of Ukraine over the past two and a half years, Russia has attacked various regions of the country with different drones and missiles. The United States claims that the Islamic Republic of Iran, which previously supplied drones to Russia, has now provided ballistic missiles to Russia for use in attacks on Ukraine. The Islamic Republic, which denied sending Shahed-136 drones to Russia, has also denied sending missiles to Russia this time. Zelensky's meeting with the British Prime Minister and efforts to garner more aid for Ukraine highlight the increasing cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, despite growing global concerns. A new financial fund for Ukraine has been established with support from the U.S., Japan, and Canada. The United States and Germany emphasized their comprehensive support for Ukraine. Russia's threats against Ukraine's Western supporters have intensified; NATO is conducting nuclear exercises. Russian attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure in Ukraine have left at least ten injured. Russia has sentenced an American to prison for fighting for Ukraine. Zelensky will present Ukraine's 'Victory Plan' in the Ramstein meeting.