Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the US military’s Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 6 September 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / RONALD WITTEK
Ukraine’s plan for victory in its war with Russia is more than 90% complete and will be presented to Kyiv’s Western allies next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.
Speaking in his nightly video address to the nation, Zelensky said that the military, political, diplomatic and economic steps laid out in the plan would give Ukraine “the strongest possible positions” to ensure “a real and just peace”.
“There is nothing impossible in this plan. Over 90% of it is already laid out. This comprehensive package will ensure the right development of the situation not only for Ukraine but for everyone around the world who values international law”, Zelensky said.
While few details of Zelensky’s plan have been disclosed, the Ukrainian president said in an interview with CNN earlier this month that it included five main points, among which were Ukraine’s “geopolitical place” and security, economic support and the freedom to use Western aid as it sees fit, and “very strong” military support.
In August Zelensky said that the incursion into Russia’s Kursk region carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine had been intended to strengthen Kyiv’s position in any potential negotiations with Moscow ahead of a proposed second peace summit in November.
On Sunday, the presidential administration denied reports by German tabloid Bild that Zelensky’s peace plan would propose a partial ceasefire or freezing of hostilities along the current frontline.
“Bild has spread a fake. Bild has not seen the victory plan, and of the few people currently involved in the preparation of the victory plan, none of them have spoken to Bild”, Zelensky’s communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told news outlet Ukrainska Pravda, stressing that Kyiv opposed “any freezing of the war”.
