Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed his “victory plan” to reporters in Kyiv, stating that it involves seeking permission from Ukraine’s allies, including the United States, to use Western-supplied missiles for deep strikes inside Russia. Zelenskyy made these comments during a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and in a briefing with The Guardian.
Zelenskyy announced that he plans to meet with President Joe Biden in Washington on September 26 to discuss the details of his plan. He emphasized that many decisions depend on the support of the United States and other allies. He hopes for quick decisions from their partners and believes that key decisions should be made between October and December.
In a separate briefing, Zelenskyy revealed that his plan includes carrying out deep strikes inside Russia using Western-supplied missiles. However, both the United States and the United Kingdom have so far refused to allow this. Zelenskyy stated that if Biden allows Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles for long-range strikes inside Russia, he would earn a place in history.
Zelenskyy also mentioned his intention to meet with former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris during his visit to the United States. He expressed readiness to present a concrete plan aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position and bringing about a just peace.
The Ukrainian president previously stated that his plan rests on four pillars: military, political, diplomatic, and economic. In an interview with CNN, he elaborated on these parts of the plan.
Russia has warned against allowing strikes deep inside its territory using Western-supplied missiles as it would be seen as a declaration of war. Russian officials have called on Western governments to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine if they genuinely want peace.
Michael Carpenter from the National Security Council confirmed ongoing discussions between Zelenskyy’s team and members of the Biden administration regarding Ukraine’s need for long-range capabilities. Carpenter emphasized Biden’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and success as part of his legacy.
