Zelensky Urges Biden to Support Ukraine’s ‘Victory Plan’ Amid War Push
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to unveil a bold “Victory Plan” to U.S. President Joe Biden, seeking a major show of American support before Biden’s term comes to an end. According to a high-ranking Kyiv official, Ukraine hopes Biden will “make history” by firmly backing their strategy during his remaining months in office.
While the details of the plan remain confidential, it is expected to include requests for continued military aid, financial assistance, and future security guarantees. Zelensky sees this as a potential “bridge” to ending the conflict, which he believes could be resolved sooner than many expect. Strengthening Ukraine’s position, he argues, could pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace negotiations.
Zelensky, known for his media-savvy approach, is also seeking to counter skepticism from U.S. politicians who have questioned the level of aid being sent to Ukraine. His victory plan, which he promotes as a possible pathway to peace, is part of his broader diplomatic push this week.
Diplomatic Blitz at the United Nations
In a whirlwind of diplomacy, Zelensky has been making his presence felt at the United Nations. On Monday, he spoke at a session discussing reforms to the global body. By Tuesday, he addressed the UN Security Council, and on Wednesday, he delivered a speech to the General Assembly. Between these high-profile engagements, Zelensky has met with various world leaders and U.S. lawmakers, all while touring a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden’s hometown, where shells for Ukraine’s artillery are being produced.
Zelensky is clear that time is of the essence. Speaking to The New Yorker, he stressed that the Victory Plan needs to be finalized and Ukraine’s position reinforced in the coming months. “This plan is primarily designed with Biden’s support in mind,” Zelensky stated. But that support, especially as the U.S. elections approach, is far from guaranteed.
Political Uncertainty and Trump’s Criticism
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, currently a leading Republican candidate, has openly mocked Zelensky, calling him “the greatest salesman in history” for securing large aid packages from the U.S. On the campaign trail, Trump reiterated his position that he would negotiate a quick peace deal, sparking concerns in Kyiv that such a deal would force Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.
Fearing this potential shift in U.S. policy, Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts have intensified, aiming to secure Biden’s backing before the political landscape in the U.S. changes. Skepticism remains among some international diplomats about whether Zelensky’s plan could realistically push Putin towards negotiations. Biden’s response will be critical to the outcome.
Military Objectives and Long-Range Strikes
One of the key objectives of Ukraine’s Victory Plan is to “strike Russia hard,” says Mykhailo Samus, a military analyst and director of the New Geopolitics Research Network. According to Samus, Kyiv wants permission to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to target military sites deep within Russia, a request that has previously been denied. These missiles could severely disrupt Russian operations in the Donbas region and beyond, a move that could shift the tide of the war.
While Ukraine has had success with drone strikes on Russian ammunition depots, more powerful long-range missiles would be able to penetrate heavily fortified sites. Analysts like Olga Rudenko, editor of the Kyiv Independent, expect Zelensky’s plan to include requests for additional missile support, as well as financial aid, to keep Ukraine’s military efforts going strong.
Zelensky’s team also intends to push forward with its aspirations to join NATO. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, confirmed that an invitation to join NATO is part of the Victory Plan.
Resistance to Territorial Concessions
Though there have been rumors of Ukraine considering a ceasefire, Zelensky’s office has dismissed these reports as “fake.” Yet, some international voices, like Czech President Petr Pavel, have acknowledged the possibility that certain regions of Ukraine might remain occupied by Russia for years.
However, for most Ukrainians, the idea of giving up any territory to Russia is unthinkable. “We can’t leave our people there, under Russian control, to suffer the horrors of occupation,” says Rudenko. The sentiment is echoed by Dmytro, a 31-year-old Ukrainian soldier badly injured in a Russian drone strike. “We won’t surrender the territories our comrades died for,” he says, reflecting the defiance felt by many Ukrainians.
For Zelensky, a ceasefire at this point would only give Russia time to regroup, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to further attacks. Dmytro, already planning his return to the front lines, shares this view. “I will not retreat. I will fight until my last breath,” he vows, embodying the determination that fuels Ukraine’s continued resistance.
As Ukraine presses forward, the next few months are pivotal. Zelensky’s Victory Plan hinges on securing Biden’s support, while the outcome of the U.S. elections could drastically alter the future of the war.
