Zelensky met with ‘tepid reception’ in US: WSJ
3 Min Read
When Zelensky sought to display his "victory plan" in the US, he received a "tepid reception," according to the Wall Street Journal.
-
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky signs a guest book before his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on September 25, 2024. (AP)
During his most recent visit to the United States, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky was unable to get significant American backing in the battle with Russia and failed to impress Washington with his "victory plan," according to the Wall Street Journal.
Zelensky's strategy for winning the war reportedly includes four key clauses: NATO-style Western security guarantees for Ukraine, the continuation of Kiev's incursion into Kursk Region as a territorial bargaining chip, deliveries of "specific" advanced weapons, and global financial support for Ukraine.
Officials in Kiev vowed to make the plan's contents public, but some aspects will be kept hidden.
When Zelensky sought to display his plan in the US, he received a "tepid reception," according to the WSJ.
The publication stated that the administration of US President Joe Biden is "wary of making moves that Moscow could perceive as escalation, expressed skepticism, and said they wanted more details."
While the US offered a new military support package for Kiev, it has yet to "grant Zelensky's main request: permission to strike into Russia with longer-range missiles," according to the WSJ.
The paper also stated that Kiev's failure to secure a large boost in US support "points to a perilous road ahead," especially as Ukrainian lines remain under heavy attack in Donbass. WSJ concluded that without a "major surge" in military help, Ukraine's objective of regaining all of its claimed territory "appears distant."
According to a Bloomberg article published last week, Western diplomats did not believe Zelensky's "victory plan" would result in a breakthrough since it lacked "real surprises" and was basically a "wish list."
Commenting on the strategy, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that it lacks specificity and provides nothing to Kiev's Western allies.
Borrell admits Ukraine will have to surrender if not for US, EU aid
Ukraine will be forced to surrender in the war with Russia without the assistance of the United States Union and the European Union, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Friday.
Borrell stressed the "crucial role" that the EU and US play in Ukraine, saying, "Without us, Ukraine would have to surrender."
The European official made these remarks during a meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
In the same context, Borrell said the US and EU cannot determine when a final resolution for the conflict will be reached.
Meanwhile, former US President and Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election, Donald Trump, said ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky that the war has to come to an end at some point.
Last week, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Washington does not rule out the notion of Ukraine trading territory for peace with Russia.
