Zelenskyy Proposes Comprehensive Victory Plan to Lawmakers, Including NATO Membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed lawmakers, revealing that Western allies are urging Ukraine to negotiate with Russia. However, he suggested such talks might not favour Kyiv. He introduced his "victory plan," which includes NATO membership for Ukraine and permission to use Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russian targets. These proposals have faced hesitance from Ukraine's allies.

Zelenskyy plans to present this five-point strategy to the European Council soon. He mentioned that private discussions with Ukraine's partners increasingly focus on "negotiations" rather than "justice." Despite this, Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is unwilling to accept a "frozen conflict" or any compromises on its territory or sovereignty, receiving strong applause from lawmakers.

NATO Membership and Military Support

The plan aims to strengthen Ukraine's position in potential negotiations with Moscow. It includes ongoing military operations in Russia, like the incursion into the Kursk region that began in August. Additionally, Ukraine seeks more air defence systems and broader intelligence access from allies. Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk stated that lawmakers will prioritise bills needed to implement Zelenskyy's plan.

Zelenskyy's request for NATO membership puts the alliance in a difficult position. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, NATO has struggled to bring Ukraine closer without formally inviting it. Zelenskyy acknowledged that NATO membership is a future goal but believes an invitation could change President Vladimir Putin's geopolitical calculations.

Reactions and Challenges

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte remained noncommittal about the plan, stating, "We are in close contact with allies, with Ukraine, to see how we can take next steps." He emphasised the focus should be on helping Ukraine regain territory and strengthen its position for future peace talks. Zelenskyy argued that a NATO invitation would demonstrate allies' determination to support Kyiv.

Despite efforts to gain Western approval for the plan, no public endorsements have been made yet. Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden discussed a new $425 million security assistance package for Ukraine. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre commented on Ukraine's plan: "That's their plan, and let them speak to it."

Domestic and International Reactions

Lawmakers had mixed reactions to Zelenskyy's plan. Opposition lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko criticised it as unrealistic, calling it more of a wish list than a concrete strategy. In contrast, Oleksandr Merezhko from Zelenskyy's party described it as realistic and pragmatic if sufficient aid is provided by allies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the plan as "ephemeral," while Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labelled it "a set of incoherent slogans." Zelenskyy also accused North Korea of sending military personnel and ammunition to aid Russia, with Iran and China also supporting Moscow.

Ukraine possesses valuable natural resources like uranium, titanium, lithium, and graphite, which could be shared with partners to boost economies. Additionally, battle-experienced Ukrainian troops could benefit NATO efforts against Russia. As the war enters its third year, Ukraine faces challenges holding back Russian advances in the east and seeks more substantial Western support.

Support for Ukraine may be affected by shifting global focus towards Middle Eastern conflicts and potential changes in US policy following the upcoming presidential election. Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy remains committed to his victory plan as a means of strengthening Ukraine's position in any future negotiations with Russia.