Zelenskyy presents the Victory Plan: five points and three secret appendices

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his Victory Plan, comprising five key points and three confidential appendices, to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) on Wednesday, October 16.

Details: Zelenskyy emphasized that the implementation of the Peace Plan hinged on Ukraine's partners, not Russia. He asserted that Russia was not seeking a genuine peace agreement and stated that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin had become irrational and was intent on war. According to Zelenskyy, Putin was unlikely to change his approach and remained unresponsive to external appeals.

Zelenskyy underscored the necessity for Ukraine and its allies to collaborate in altering the current circumstances to compel Russia into peace.

He noted that the first point—and a very important one—was an invitation to NATO, indicating that it determined how the partners envisioned Ukraine's role within the security architecture.

Details: The second point of the Plan focused on defense, involving the continuous strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities and the strategic shift of the conflict onto Russian territory. This point included a confidential appendix.

The third point addressed the deterrence of Russian aggression, accompanied by a secret appendix accessible to the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Ukraine proposed the deployment of a comprehensive non-nuclear deterrent package on its territory to thwart further Russian advances.

The fourth point pertained to enhancing Ukraine's strategic and economic potential. This segment also included a secret appendix, which was being communicated to the US and EU, outlining an agreement with partners.

The fifth point was oriented towards the post-war period. Zelenskyy advocated for utilizing Ukraine's experience to benefit the entire NATO Alliance and bolster Europe's defense. He proposed replacing US military forces in Europe with Ukrainian troops following the conclusion of the war.

The president's address in parliament was attended by members of the government, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko, as well as Defence Minister Rustem Umierov. Additionally, representatives from Ukraine’s security forces were present, including Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, and Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, along with various diplomats.

Following the session, there would be a meeting between the president, the parliamentary leadership, and heads of parliamentary factions and groups.

38% of Ukrainians consider restoration of Ukraine's borders as of January 2014 a victory

A recent poll conducted by the Razumkov Centre, a Ukrainian non-governmental public policy think tank, has revealed that 83% of Ukrainians are confident in the country’s eventual victory in the ongoing war. Among these respondents, 38% define victory as the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s borders to their state as of January 2014, which includes the entirety of Crimea and the Donbas region. The results show varying levels of confidence across regions, with 72% of residents in the south, 75% in the east, 87% in the west, and 88% in the central regions expressing belief in Ukraine's victory. Conversely, 11% do not believe in a victory, with skepticism ranging from 7% in the central region to 21% in the south.

Further insights from the poll indicate that among those who believe in victory, 38% equate it with the expulsion of Russian forces from all of Ukraine. Additionally, 17.5% of respondents view victory as the destruction of Russian forces, potentially leading to an internal uprising or the collapse of Russia itself. Furthermore, 17% define victory as restoring the status quo as of February 23, 2022, while 7.5% see it as expelling Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory, excluding occupied Crimea. Interestingly, 8% consider the end of the war a victory, even if Russian forces remain in territories captured after February 24, 2022.

When it comes to military strategy, 47% of respondents believe that authorization from Western countries to use their weapons for strikes on Russian targets is more likely to lead to peace in Ukraine compared to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which garnered support from only 29%. Among those who believe in Ukraine's victory, 52% advocate for the unrestricted use of Western weapons, while 56% of those who do not believe in victory favor negotiations. Additionally, when asked about their views on Ukrainian military operations within Russian territory, 58% expressed support for such actions, 20% opposed them, and 7% remained indifferent.

Ukrainian Parliament unanimously supports Ukraine's Victory Plan

Plan, which was presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting on October 16. This endorsement was announced by Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, at a briefing following the meeting.

In his remarks, Stefanchuk emphasized, "The Ukrainian Parliament has received the Victory Plan of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Parliament unanimously supports the Victory Plan proposed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian Parliament is fully involved in implementing the Victory Plan." This statement highlights the parliament's commitment to the proposed strategy and its role in the ongoing efforts toward achieving peace and security in Ukraine.

The announcement came after a closed session involving the parliamentary leadership, various factions, and groups, alongside President Zelenskyy, focused on the implementation of the Victory Plan. The collaborative effort underscores the importance of a unified approach as Ukraine navigates its challenges amid the ongoing conflict.