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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.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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