Zelensky presents “victory plan” to EU and Nato
Published: Thursday, Oct 17th 2024, 05:00
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi wants to present what he calls his victory plan in the fight against the Russian war of aggression on the European stage and to NATO this Thursday. "I will present it to our EU partners at the European Council meeting," said Selensky. He had previously explained the plan, which primarily envisages an immediate and unconditional invitation to join NATO, for the first time in Kiev to members of the Supreme Rada, the parliament.
According to him, there was "strong support from all parliamentary parties and groups". However, the opposition led by former President Petro Poroshenko in the Rada criticized the plan as unrealistic. Russia said that Zelensky did not explain in any of the five points how he wanted to resolve the conflict, but was trying to drag the Western allies even deeper into the war. He had already presented the plan behind closed doors in Rome, Paris and London last week. In Berlin, he briefed Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Now all EU members are to be informed. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than two and a half years.
However, at the summit of the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries, discussions on the war in Ukraine are only one topic alongside issues of migration policy and the situation in the Middle East. Selenskyj also wants to meet the defense ministers of the NATO countries during his visit to Brussels. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will receive Zelensky at the headquarters, according to alliance spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah. There is to be a joint press conference by Rutte and Selensky at 18:20.
Another drone attack during the night
Meanwhile, the fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues unabated. Groups of Russian combat drones attacked large parts of Ukraine again in the evening and during the night, according to the Ukrainian air force. An air alert was issued in most regions.
Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down three Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk region near the border. This was announced by the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomas, on the Telegram platform during the night. There was no damage or casualties. The information provided by both warring parties could not be independently verified.
Opportunity to clarify open questions about the "victory plan"
The visit to NATO headquarters is also an opportunity for Selenskyj to answer any remaining questions about his "victory plan". In an initial reaction on Wednesday, Rutte said that he could not currently say that he supported the entire plan. There are many points that need to be better understood, he said.
Among other things, the NATO defense ministers' meeting will discuss the situation in Ukraine and further support options for the country. Rutte had recently expressed fears that Ukraine could be facing the harshest winter since the start of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022.
With regard to Ukraine's accession to NATO, Rutte referred to the resolutions of the most recent NATO summit in Washington. At this summit, supporters of a quick invitation were unable to prevail against opponents such as the USA and Germany. The alliance states were only able to agree to give Ukraine a general assurance that it could no longer be stopped on its way to joining the defense alliance.
Zelenskyi thanks USA and Australia for further military aid
The Ukrainian head of state thanked the USA and Australia for further military aid via the X short message service. He said that US support was unwavering following a meeting with US President Joe Biden. He not only offered Biden an expansion of cooperation in the production of weapons. "We also talked about the importance of additional training for Ukrainian soldiers," he said. Biden released further military aid amounting to 425 million US dollars (391 million euros).
The package includes additional air defense capabilities, armored vehicles and ammunition, the White House announced. In the telephone conversation, Biden also promised Zelensky that the USA would provide Kiev with "hundreds of air defense missiles, dozens of tactical air defense systems, additional artillery systems and significant quantities of ammunition" in the coming months. According to Selenskyj, Australia is making a "courageous decision" to hand over 49 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
According to the White House, Zelensky also informed Biden about how Russia should be defeated. For example, Ukraine is demanding the release of Western weapons with a long range for attacks on military targets far into the Russian hinterland. So far, there have been restrictions on this. Ukraine primarily uses its own drones for the attacks.
Biden and the Ukrainian president had instructed their teams to "begin further consultations on the next steps". The USA is considered Ukraine's most important supporter. Biden's government has provided Kiev with billions in military aid. There is also further support in the form of non-military financial aid.
Conference to advance demining in Ukraine
Large areas of Ukraine are contaminated with hundreds of thousands of mines, cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance. At an international conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, this Thursday, the focus will be on how mine clearance can be dovetailed with social and economic reconstruction. Ukraine estimated the cost of complete clearance at around 34 billion euros last year.
Among other things, representatives from more than 50 countries, international organizations and civil society are discussing new methods for faster investigations of potentially contaminated areas and new financing models. The UN Development Program (UNDP), for example, is proposing bonds from the Ukrainian government that link mine clearance with the introduction of sustainable agricultural practices. Proceeds from the bond could flow back into mine clearance, among other things.
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