Zelensky rejects ceding land in 'victory plan'; Biden vows new $425mln
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Zelensky urges Ukraine's Western allies to remove restrictions on the use of long-range weapons, enabling Kiev to strike Russia in the country and in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to parliamentarians at Verkhovna Rada in Kiev, Ukraine, on October 16, 2024. (Press Service of the President of Ukraine via AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday his long-awaited "victory plan" to halt the war with Russia, refusing any territorial compromises and requesting further Western support, including an offer to join NATO.
Kiev is under immense pressure to create an exit strategy as Ukrainian forces suffer heavy casualties and Moscow accelerates its path to victory.
Russia has captured almost one-fifth of Ukraine's land, and yet Zelensky ruled out the notion of Ukraine ceding any land to guarantee peace. He also dismissed any pause in the war.
According to him, "Russia must lose the war against Ukraine. And this does not mean a freeze (in fighting) and it does not mean any trade in Ukraine's territory or sovereignty."
The top priority in the five-part plan, according to Zelensky, is "an invitation to NATO, now," alleging that Moscow has been compromising European security for decades due to Kiev's lack of membership.
He also urged Ukraine's Western allies to remove restrictions on the use of long-range missiles, enabling Kiev to strike Russia in Russian territory and in Ukraine.
The Kremlin quickly labeled Zelensky's peace roadmap an "ephemeral peace plan." Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, indicated that the only way to achieve peace is for Kiev to understand the futility of its current stance, saying, "The only peace plan there can be is for the Kyiv regime to realize the futility of the policy it is pursuing and understand the need to sober up."
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova revealed that the plan might cause further problems for Ukraine and that Zelensky "is pushing NATO members towards a direct conflict with our country."
During Zelensky's statement, Russia restated its demand that Ukraine yield land it now controls as a prerequisite for peace negotiations, and it reported the capture of two more villages in eastern Ukraine.
After Biden revealed his intentions to improve security assistance for Kiev during his term, Zelensky thanked the US and condemned China, Iran, and DPRK for supporting Moscow, referring to them as a "coalition of criminals."
He rejected alternative peace plans from Brazil and China, claiming that they fail to safeguard Ukraine's security and territorial integrity.
Zelensky also said he discussed a secret annex to the "victory plan" with the US, the UK, France, Italy, and Germany to place a "non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" on Ukrainian territory to dissuade potential Russian assaults after the war.
He also stated that he would submit the idea in its entirety at an EU meeting on Thursday, requesting further Western backing and an invitation to NATO. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that Berlin wants to investigate measures to stop the war but asserted that this had to be done in collaboration with Kiev.
Biden announces $425 mln Ukraine arms package
Hours after Zelensky's address, the US unveiled a $425 million arms package for Kiev, promising to provide Ukraine with the "equipment it needs to prevail."
The announcement precedes a farewell visit to Biden in an attempt to enhance international backing for Kiev, particularly ahead of a potential Donald Trump return in 2025.
Although Biden intends to hold a virtual meeting with Ukraine's allies in November, he made no mention of the approval of Western-made long-range missiles for use against Russian targets.
The package includes "additional air defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles, and critical munitions to meet Ukraine's urgent needs," according to the White House.
The US, already overwhelmed by supporting the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza and aggression in Lebanon, has committed to supplying hundreds of air defense missiles, artillery, armored personnel carriers, and thousands of additional armored vehicles in the following months, according to the statement.
Read more: 'Israel' gets THAAD, Ukraine doesn't amid US dilemma on arms supplies
Meanwhile, Zelensky "updated President Biden on his plan to achieve victory over Russia, and the two leaders tasked their teams to engage in further consultations on next steps."
"I am grateful to President Biden, both parties in Congress, and the American people for the $425 million defense package announced today," Zelensky expressed on X.
I spoke with @POTUS Joe Biden and thanked the United States for its unwavering support since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2024
President Biden’s leadership in uniting the world and America’s strong bipartisan support have been crucial in helping Ukraine stand firm… pic.twitter.com/fJvyi3EWDz
