Zelensky's plan recipe for direct Russia-NATO collision: Kremlin
2 Min Read
The Kremlin's spokesperson describes the Ukrainian President's latest initiative a “plan for further escalation than peace."
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaks to journalists prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, on December 23, 2021. (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plan to resolve the conflict with Russia promotes confrontation between Moscow and NATO rather than fostering peace, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pointed out on Thursday.
At a news conference in Moscow, Peskov indicated that the core of Zelensky's "peace plan" is to formalize NATO's direct involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
"He kind of says -- yes, guys, you participated before, but like unofficially. Now let's make it official, let's have NATO here," said the Russian spokesperson.
"It's short-sighted, reckless, illogical in his situation."
Peskov described Zelensky's initiative a “plan for further escalation than peace" aimed at "bringing the situation to the edge of the Russia-NATO collision."
Commenting on the West's reaction to the Ukrainian President's plan, Peskov said it seemed clear Western countries were not pleased with the settlement plan.
"We can see by the reaction of the Europeans, even by the reaction to the fact that they are not at all happy to hear such illogical, well, frankly, stupid proposals," he said.
Zelensky's 'victory plan'
Zelensky announced his long-awaited "victory plan" on Wednesday to end the war with Russia, rejecting any territorial compromises and seeking additional Western support, including an invitation to join NATO.
Kiev is under immense pressure to create an exit strategy as Ukrainian forces suffer heavy casualties and Moscow increases its gains.
Zelensky stressed that "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 Russian territory.
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."
