President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, while attending the Ukraine – Southeast Europe summit in Dubrovnik, has called for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine by 2025. He emphasized the need for progress on Ukraine’s NATO membership, stating that inviting Ukraine into NATO and future membership would be a significant step towards global peace. Zelenskyy also signed an agreement with Croatia on further cooperation in areas such as humanitarian aid, demining, and war crimes prosecution. The summit, attended by leaders from various southeastern European states, passed a declaration condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and supporting Ukraine’s membership in NATO and its reconstruction after the war. A spokesperson from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, however, stated that peace in Ukraine would be impossible if the country joins the NATO alliance, accusing the west of using Ukraine as a “springboard for confrontation” with Russia.
President Zelenskyy had planned to present his ‘victory plan’ to Western leaders, but a meeting to discuss it was postponed due to US President Joe Biden’s response to Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida. Zelenskyy is hopeful that the meeting will be rescheduled soon and noted that he plans to meet with leaders of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany to present the plan this week. The victory plan aims to strengthen Ukraine geopolitically and on the battlefield before engaging in dialogue with Russia. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of his allies’ strength, stating that weakness will only serve to embolden Russian President Putin. The specifics of the plan have not been publicly disclosed, but it includes the need for quick action on decisions that Western allies have been considering since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, such as the use of long-range weapons to target Russian locations.
During the summit in Dubrovnik, participants expressed support for Ukraine’s peace efforts and membership in NATO. Zelenskyy highlighted the need for decisive action to end the war in Ukraine by 2025, urging Western leaders to step up and bring security and peace to Europe. The joint declaration from the summit emphasized that a free, peaceful, and prosperous Europe is dependent on a free, peaceful, and prosperous Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s meeting with Western leaders, including the postponed meeting with President Biden, was intended to further discuss Ukraine’s victory plan and seek additional support in terms of security guarantees, weapons, and Ukraine’s future post-war. The Ukrainian president stressed that he believes Putin only responds to force, underlining the urgency of strengthening Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, criticized the west’s support for Ukraine’s NATO membership, warning that peace in Ukraine will be unattainable if Ukraine joins the alliance. She accused the west of using Ukraine as a tool for confrontation with Russia. Despite the challenges and opposition from Russia, Zelenskyy remains determined to push forward with his victory plan and seek support from Western allies in strengthening Ukraine’s position both geopolitically and on the battlefield. He emphasized the importance of standing united against Russian aggression and ensuring Ukraine’s security and future in the region. The upcoming meetings with Western leaders are expected to provide a platform for further discussions on Ukraine’s path towards peace and stability in the region.
