War in Ukraine: Zelensky presents “victory plan” in opposition to Russia | EUROtoday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has offered his beforehand unpublished “victory plan” within the defensive battle in opposition to Russia and has dominated out any renunciation of Ukrainian territories in it. An answer to ending the battle can’t “consist in a trade with Ukrainian territory or with its sovereignty,” Zelensky mentioned. In addition to giving up territory in favor of Russia, he additionally dominated out “freezing” the battle. In his speech, Zelensky additionally spoke out in favor of stationing “a comprehensive package of non-nuclear strategic deterrent measures” on Ukrainian territory after the tip of the battle with a view to shield Ukraine from army threats from Russia sooner or later.

He referred to as on Western allies to ask his nation to affix NATO “now.” Russia was solely capable of begin the battle in opposition to Ukraine and thereby undermine European safety as a result of Kiev just isn’t a member of the Western army alliance. The plan is about “strengthening our country and our positions,” mentioned Zelensky. The purpose is to be “strong enough to end the war.” “Russia must lose the war against Ukraine,” emphasised the Ukrainian president. Russia have to be persuaded to “participate in a peace summit and be ready to end the war.” In his speech, Zelensky as soon as once more referred to as on Ukraine’s allies to raise restrictions on using longer-range weapons in assaults on Russian-occupied territories and targets in Russia.

Russia instantly rejected Zelensky’s “victory plan.” “The only peace plan that can exist is for the Kiev regime to recognize the futility of its policies and understand that it needs to sober up,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned in Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned Zelensky’s plan meant “trouble for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.” The Ukrainian president is pushing NATO member states right into a “direct conflict” with Russia. As a situation for peace talks, Moscow is demanding that Kiev surrender massive areas within the east and south of Ukraine which can be at present occupied by Russian troops.

In a authorities assertion on Wednesday, Chancellor Scholz spoke out in favor of diplomatic talks involving Russia to finish the battle. The time has now come “when, in addition to clearly supporting Ukraine, we must also do everything we can to figure out how we can ensure that this war does not go on forever,” he mentioned. Scholz additionally appeared open to direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, there ought to “never be decisions made over the heads of Ukraine”. Talks with Putin must be carried out in “coordination with our closest partners”.