Zelensky's “Victory Plan” is finally out! Biden approves $425 million in military aid

Ukrainian President Zelensky announced his much-anticipated “victory plan” on Wednesday, calling on allies to take urgent measures to strengthen Ukraine with a view to ending the Russian-Ukrainian conflict next year.

As the Russian military advances in the east and a severe winter with power shortages approaches, he told parliament that his plan contains five main points and requires the actions of allies, including immediate and unconditional entry into NATO and arms support.

Zelensky has always called for a “just” end of the war. He said he needed this plan to force Russia to conduct negotiations in good faith, even though in his speech he seemed to acknowledge that some allies had different views on the outcome of the war.

He said, “We hear the word 'negotiation' from our partners, but we rarely hear the word 'justice'. Ukraine is open to diplomacy, but it must be honest diplomacy.”

His plan proposes the establishment of a “comprehensive package of non-nuclear strategic deterrence” within Ukraine to counter threats from Russia and destroy its military strength. He did not elaborate, but said there was a secret attachment that could not be disclosed.

He also added that the plan also envisions Western investment to jointly protect Ukraine's natural resources from Russian attacks, as well as promises of post-war reconstruction.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said later in the day, “The annexes outline the weapons needed to destroy logistics facilities far from the front lines and destroy storage sites or production centers, including areas where military forces are stationed. Let me say it again, deep within Russia.”

The plan is a major test of the political will of Ukraine's key allies, who have invested billions of dollars in arms to support Ukraine while also fearing an “escalation” of war with Russia, which has the world's largest nuclear arsenal.

NATO says Ukraine is on its way to becoming a member, but has yet to issue an invitation. The new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the plan was a strong signal that he was unable to support the entire plan.

Russia says it's still too early to comment, but Ukraine needs to be “sober” and aware that the policies it is pursuing are futile.

Zelensky said, “If we start implementing this victory plan now, we may end the war as early as next year.”

Top military, intelligence, and political officials and members of parliament attended the speech. Although some members of parliament occasionally stood and applauded, others criticized the plan.

Ukrainian parliament member Oleksii Honcharenko said the plan seemed “very unrealistic”: “We have placed almost all our hopes on our partners. And what are we asking of ourselves?”

Roman Lozynskyi, a member of Zelensky's political party, said that although they seemed “unrealistic,” past requests — such as F-16 fighter jets or Storm Shadow missiles — once seemed unrealistic, and eventually came to fruition.

Zelensky's speech was aimed at convincing the weary public that the war could end soon, and emphasized the importance of Ukrainians remaining united in the face of war challenges.

“We have achieved and are achieving results in the fight because of our unity. So please don't lose unity,” he said.

The White House said Biden spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Zelensky on Wednesday to discuss strengthening efforts to provide security aid to Ukraine and announced a new $425 million military aid package.

The White House statement said that the security aid plan includes air defense capabilities, air-to-ground ammunition, armored vehicles, and critical ammunition.

Zelensky posted an article on Telegram thanking Biden, both parties in Congress, and the American people for the new aid package, and said that he and Biden discussed the five-point “victory plan” proposed by Ukraine, which was submitted to Congress on the same day.

He said, “I also proposed considering the possibility of joint production of weapons, and we also discussed the importance of additional training for Ukrainian soldiers. ”

He said Ukraine appreciates America's “willingness to help Ukraine strengthen its position in order to push Russia towards honest diplomacy.”

Zelensky will travel to Brussels on Thursday to attend the EU Leaders' Summit to present his plans. He is also planning to attend the NATO defense ministers meeting.