The Kremlin has expressed concerns that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recently proposed "victory plan" for the defense of Ukraine could escalate tensions and potentially lead to direct conflict between Russia and NATO. This warning was issued on Thursday by the Russian state news agency TASS, following Zelenskyy’s visit to European Union headquarters in Brussels, where he sought support for his initiative.
During his visit, Zelenskyy met with leaders from various European countries, including Greece and Norway, who pledged to assist Ukraine with fighter jet pilot training and energy supplies. He emphasized that joining NATO remains a top priority for Ukraine, asserting on social media that, “Ukraine is a democratic nation that has proven it can defend the Euro-Atlantic region and our shared way of life.”
Zelenskyy noted the historical geopolitical instability stemming from Ukraine’s absence from NATO, stating that an immediate invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance would be pivotal for its security. He engaged with European Council President Charles Michel and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to discuss his plans. Rutte reiterated that Ukraine would eventually become a NATO member and pledged continued support until that occurs.
However, these statements prompted a swift response from the Kremlin, with TASS reporting that Russian officials believe Zelenskyy’s plan could heighten tensions, risking a direct confrontation with NATO. Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy had declared that Ukraine would persist in its fight against Russian invasion, even without backing from Western allies.
As part of his efforts, Zelenskyy announced a new agreement with Greece to expedite the training of F-16 fighter jet pilots. He praised Greece for its ongoing military support, including material and technical assistance since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy detailed his victory plan to the Ukrainian parliament, outlining five key components, with a fast-track process for NATO membership at its core. He expressed optimism that implementing this plan could potentially bring an end to the war by next year.
Amidst these developments, uncertainty looms over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine, especially with upcoming elections in November. President Joe Biden has emphasized the necessity of backing Ukraine’s aspirations for EU and NATO membership, a sentiment echoed by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Conversely, former President Donald Trump, who has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and is in a tight race with Harris, has been less supportive of Ukraine, raising concerns about the continuity of U.S. aid.
At his rallies, Trump has claimed he could negotiate a peace deal swiftly, though critics argue that such an agreement might require Ukraine to concede significant territory to Russia.
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