Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went to Brussels for a special meeting of the European Council to persuade European leaders to support his “victory plan,” according to Ukrainian media.
He thanked European Council President Charles Michel for inviting him to the meeting. Zelensky also announced meetings with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other Parliament’s officials.
On Wednesday, he presented his “victory plan” to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament). The plan allegedly consists of five preliminary points and three unspoken appendices. It includes Ukraine’s accession to NATO, increased defence production, a “non-nuclear strategic deterrence package” and greater economic pressure on Moscow.
The implementation of the “victory plan” would give Europe security guarantees, as after the war Ukraine would have “one of the most experienced military contingents,” Zelensky said.
The White House said on Wednesday that US President Joe Biden had contacted Zelensky to provide an update on US efforts to increase security assistance for Ukraine. The new $425 million package for Ukraine would include air defences, anti-aircraft missiles, artillery shells, anti-tank weapons, Humvees and other equipment, according to The Washington Post.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also stated on Wednesday that he was “very aware of all elements of the victory plan,” but did not provide any guarantees of Kyiv’s accession to NATO.
It is my firm belief that one day Ukraine will be a member of NATO, and I will applaud when that day comes. It is up to the allies to discuss among themselves how to take it forward.
Zelensky’s efforts, including a no-result European tour, are presumably related to Ukraine’s preparations for a tough winter. Russian troops keep pressure on eastern Ukraine for months, advancing on Pokrovsk and Toretsk.
