Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been promoting his ‘victory plan’ during a tour of European capitals, seeking to create the right conditions for a just end to the war against Russia. His efforts to secure European support seem to be prompted by the upcoming US presidential election in November. Zelenskyy has met with leaders from Italy, the UK, France, and NATO to discuss his proposals for victory. During these meetings, support for Ukraine has been reiterated, and discussions have taken place on how to best support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainian leader’s talks in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte were followed by a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelenskyy shared the details of his victory plan during these discussions and emphasized the need for further military support to restore a just peace. The timing of Zelenskyy’s efforts to secure European support is strategic, given the uncertainty surrounding US aid to Ukraine under former President Donald Trump. With the postponement of a weekend meeting in Germany, Zelenskyy embarked on a tour of European capitals to garner support from Ukraine’s key allies outside of the United States.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has seen Ukraine heavily reliant on Western support, including military and financial aid, to combat the Russian invasion that began in 2022. However, as political changes in donor countries create uncertainty, Ukraine is looking to strengthen its domestic arms industry and raise additional funds from taxpayers through a military tax increase. Zelenskyy’s victory plan aims to strengthen Ukraine both geopolitically and on the battlefield before engaging in any dialogue with Russia. As Russia continues its advance into eastern Ukraine, targeting key infrastructure with air strikes, Zelenskyy seeks to bolster Ukraine’s position to confront this escalating conflict.
Zelenskyy has yet to publicly present the details of his victory plan, but discussions indicate a focus on securing more military aid and permission for Ukrainian forces to carry out long-range strikes, potentially deep inside Russia. While some Western partners are willing to support such actions, there is reticence from the US regarding escalating the conflict. The situation appears challenging for all sides involved, with the West hesitant due to internal divisions, Ukraine preparing for a harsh winter amidst ongoing conflict, and Russia pressing forward without significant strategic gains. Zelenskyy’s tour of European capitals underscores the urgency of securing support to bolster Ukraine’s position in the face of escalating tensions with Russia.
As Zelenskyy continues his efforts to rally support from European allies, the focus remains on strengthening Ukraine’s position both geopolitically and on the battlefield. The Ukrainian leader’s discussions with key leaders have centered on securing additional military aid and reinforcing Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself against Russian aggression. With the conflict showing no signs of resolution, Zelenskyy’s victory plan aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war against Russia. As he meets with Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the attention remains on building a coalition of support to strengthen Ukraine’s position and confront the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict in the region.
