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Zelensky Rejects Territorial Concessions to Russia While Presenting "Victory Plan"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out any concessions of Ukrainian territory to Russia on Wednesday as he presented his long-awaited "Victory Plan" to the parliament.
In a speech outlining the five-point plan, Zelensky stated that the solution to ending the ongoing war, which has lasted for over two years, does not lie in a stalemate conflict and "not in exchanging Ukrainian land or sovereignty."
He also urged his Western allies to issue a "call for Ukraine to join NATO now," noting that Moscow undermines Europe's security as Ukraine is not a member of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Zelensky reiterated his calls for the West to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons to strike military targets deep within Russian territory.
He requested assistance in "supplying equipment for our reserve brigades."
The president indicated that Ukraine proposes "deploying a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package on its territory" that would be "sufficient to protect Ukraine from any Russian military threat."
Zelensky expressed his hope of "replacing certain units of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Europe with Ukrainian units."
In his speech, Zelensky criticized China, Iran, and North Korea for their support of Russia, describing them as a "coalition of criminals."
He noted that he would present the plan to European leaders during the summit on Thursday.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated on Wednesday that Britain is working on its own proposals for implementing the Ukrainian "Victory Plan" following a phone conversation with British Defense Secretary Tony Radakin.
Syrskyi added in a statement on the Telegram app, "We discussed separately the possibility of striking military targets of the enemy in strategic depth and regarding operations."
He explained, "The British side is currently developing its own proposals within the framework of the practical implementation of the Victory Plan."
In contrast, the Kremlin downplayed the importance of the "Victory Plan" presented by Zelensky, which calls for increased Western support for Kyiv, calling it a "transient peace plan."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, "The only peace plan is for the Kyiv regime to realize the futility of the policy it is pursuing and understand that it needs to wake up."
While Zelensky showcased his vision for ending the fighting that has continued for over two years before the parliament in Kyiv, Russia announced its control of two new towns in eastern Ukraine, an area where its forces have been advancing rapidly for several weeks.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated in a release that it has captured the town of Nevske in the Luhansk region, as well as the town of Krasny Yar, located south of the nearby town of Myrnhrad, which is a strategic area for the Ukrainian army.
Ukraine quickly rushed to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Pokrovsk and Myrnhrad as Russian forces progressed.
To the north, Moscow also claimed to have taken the village of Nevske in the Luhansk region near the border with Donetsk.
Images were released showing a village with a single main road lined with destroyed houses, while a Russian soldier was seen holding a Moscow flag out of a damaged house window.
Aerial footage indicated that the small village was nearly completely destroyed.
