Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in the US this week to discuss a “victory plan” with its closest ally, Reuters reported. His visit is described in the report as an "urgent attempt" to shape White House policy on Ukraine’s war with Russia regardless of the outcome of the November presidential election.
According to Reuters, the Ukrainian leader has said he wants to present the plan to President Joe Biden and his two potential successors, Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy will also address the UN General Assembly election on Tuesday. Zelenskyy said if this plan were to be backed by the West, it would have a significant impact on Moscow, including a psychological effect that could push Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war diplomatically, the report said.
"The 'victory plan' envisages quick and concrete steps by our strategic partners — from now until the end of December," Zelenskyy said on Friday, as per Reuters. He said the plan would act as a “bridge” to a second Ukraine-led summit on peace that Kyiv wants to hold and invite Russia to later this year.
His visit comes at a critical moment for Ukraine, as Trump’s potential victory in November could lead to a shift in policies in Washington. Ukraine’s defence against Russia heavily depends on US military and financial support, which may be reconsidered under the new administration. As per Reuters, in a debate, Trump refused to say if he wanted Ukraine to defeat Russia and said he would try to end the war before taking office if he won.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said Biden is eager to discuss Zelenskyy's "comprehensive strategy for success in this war" against Russia. Zelenskyy said his plan consists of a small number of points and that "all these points depend on Biden's decision, not Putin's".
On Friday, the leader said the steps involved establishing Ukraine's place in the world's "security architecture", battlefield decisions including the Kursk operation, bolstering Ukraine's armoury, and supporting the economy, according to Reuters.