President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Credit: Presidential Office of Ukraine.
On Wednesday 16 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his "Victory Plan" to the Ukrainian Parliament, which consists of five points and three secret annexes.
As the President of Ukraine spoke to parliament, Zelenskyy noted that the implementation of the plan depends on Ukraine's partners, not Russia. In addition, he emphasized that Russia was not looking for a fair peace and that Vladimir Putin had "lost his mind and wanted war." Putin will not change and is "deaf to all others."
Therefore, Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine and its partners should together change the circumstances so that the war would end and the Russian Federation would be "forced to peace".
"The first point - and a very important one - is the invitation to NATO," Zelenskyy said, adding that the allies now see Ukraine's place in the security architecture as a "certainty."
According to Ukraine's head of state, the second point is defense, which means irreversible strengthening of the Ukrainian defense and bringing the war to the Russian Federation and its territory. This point has a secret annex.
The third point is deterrence of Russian aggression. It too has a secret annex to which the leaders of certain Western countries have access. Ukraine proposes to deploy on its territory a comprehensive non-nuclear package to deter further Russian aggression.
The fourth point is Ukraine's strategic and economic potential. Plus a secret annex, which is passed on to the United States and the European Union. It provides for an agreement with partners.
The fifth point is designed for the post-war period. Ukrainian experience should be used for the whole Alliance and the defense of Europe. One possible option, Kyiv proposes, is for the Ukrainian military to replace the US in Europe after the war is over.
The president's speech in parliament was attended by members of the government, military officials, intelligence officers, as well as diplomats. After the session, Zelenskyy is scheduled to hold a meeting with the parliamentary leadership and the heads of parliamentary factions and groups on the matter.
In September, Zelenskyy's team noted that, although the plan would be disclosed to the public in the nearby future, several details would remain classified. The idea is that some stages of the victory plan are "sensitive in nature," and therefore must be kept confidential.
On 11 October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined the core aim of Ukraine's victory plan, which seeks to establish conditions preventing Russia from prolonging the war. Zelenskyy emphasized that the top priorities are "strengthening Ukraine's position and creating conditions for honest diplomacy."