Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is poised to unveil his “plan for victory” to President Joe Biden during an important visit to the United States this week. This significant meeting will pave the way for discussions in Congress, as well as with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Zelensky’s visit coincides with the Biden administration’s efforts to finalize a new military aid package worth $375 million for Ukraine, amidst ongoing challenges in the war. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the critical nature of this fall, stating, “This fall will determine the future of this war.”
In advance of his trip, Zelensky highlighted three key components of his victory plan: enhancing military support through additional weapons donations, initiating diplomatic efforts to compel Russia towards peace talks, and ensuring accountability for Russia’s full-scale invasion that began in 2022.
Ukraine has urged Western allies, including the US and UK, to lift restrictions on long-range missile usage to target locations within Russia that launch attacks against Ukraine. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that such strikes would be seen as “direct participation” by NATO in the conflict.
When questioned about potential decisions regarding long-range weapons for Ukraine, President Biden responded negatively, marking a continuation of the complex discourse around military support.
Trump has previously suggested a plan to end the war “within 24 hours” if re-elected, yet details remain sparse, as he has criticized US involvement in the conflict as wasteful. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, after a meeting with Trump, relayed that the former president would not allocate funds to the conflict, claiming that this stance would lead to a resolution.
Zelensky commended the support from Ukraine’s allies, particularly the US, which has been the largest donor, providing $56 billion for Ukraine’s defense efforts. He expressed gratitude to every nation recognizing that the war transcends Ukrainian borders.
Following his time in Washington, Zelensky is set to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he will participate in a Security Council meeting and deliver a speech the following day.
