Zelensky Unveils His Proposed 'Victory Plan' in Parliament

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, unveiled his 'Victory Plan' on Wednesday, October 17, and urged his allies to take 'immediate actions' to strengthen Kyiv during this perilous time as Russia's forces advance in the east and winter approaches, threatening energy infrastructure and leading to power outages in the cold. Zelensky told Parliament that his 'Victory Plan' contains five key points, including an unconditional and immediate invitation to join NATO and military support from the West. The Ukrainian President also proposed Western involvement in the development of Ukraine's natural mineral resources, stating that Ukrainian forces could enhance NATO's security and replace some American troops in Europe. Addressing parliamentarians and senior Ukrainian officials, Zelensky said, 'Regardless of what Putin wants, we must change the conditions with the help of our allies to force Russia to peace.' He emphasized that Ukraine's allies often speak of 'negotiations,' but the word 'justice' is less frequently heard. He added that Ukraine is open to diplomacy but demands 'honest diplomacy.' Zelensky's Victory Plan includes a 'comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package' within Ukraine to protect against Russian threats and weaken its military power. Previously, Zelensky had traveled to major European capitals to consult with Kyiv's allies about his proposed 'Victory Plan.' One of Zelensky's key requests from Western countries is to lift restrictions on their long-range weapons for attacks deep into Russian territory. The 'Victory Plan' is also a significant test of the political will of Kyiv's allies, who have spent billions on weapons while being reluctant to escalate tensions with a country that possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal. NATO states that Ukraine is moving towards membership in the alliance but has not yet issued an invitation for this membership. The Ukrainian army, which has fewer troops than the Russian forces, is trying to find a way to prevent the advance of Moscow's troops in the east, capture destroyed villages, and address threats against the important logistics center in Pokrovsk. Uncertainty regarding the results of the U.S. presidential election has also added complexity to the situation. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has always been skeptical about aiding Ukraine, promising that if re-elected, he would quickly end the war even before entering the White House. Zelensky has emphasized that the continuation of Kyiv's partners' unity at this stage of the war is essential. Meanwhile, Iran's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia has also provoked anger from Western countries. In response to Iran's military cooperation with Russia, the U.S. and the European Union have imposed several sanctions packages against individuals and entities involved in developing these relations. Blinken emphasized the continuation of U.S. military and economic aid to Ukraine. New British sanctions against seven individuals and two entities linked to the Iranian government. Nobel Peace Prize winners in 2024 warned about the increasing risk of 'nuclear war' in the world. A senior Republican lawmaker warned about the 'unholy alliance' between the Islamic Republic and Russia. The European Union will sanction individuals and entities related to the transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia. Zelensky discussed the 'Victory Plan' with Ukraine's allies.