Kyiv depends on a solid show of solidarity from American President Joe Biden before he takes office as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to reveal his much-awaited “victory plan.” The initiative seeks to confirm Ukraine’s military posture and open the path for a future diplomatic settlement of the current conflict with Russia.
Will Biden Make History in His Final Months?
Senior Kyiv official revealed that Ukraine expects Biden to “make history” during his last months of presidency. Time is running short to fortify Ukraine’s position before a possible change in U.S. leadership, and much depends on the dedication of the present government.
Although Zelensky’s intentions are still secret, they will likely demand long-term security assurances for Ukraine, financial help, and more military aid.
Can Zelensky's Victory Plan Build a Bridge to Peace?
Expressing hope that the war would end “sooner than people think,” Zelensky presented the Victory Plan as a “bridge” towards ending the conflict, provided Ukraine’s posture was supported. If the West offers enough backing, he thinks Russia’s President Vladimir Putin might be compelled to show up for negotiations.
“We have to make Ukraine stronger so Putin has no option but to think about peace,” Zelensky has said several times.
Renowned for his keen public relations sense, Ukraine’s president wants to offset internal American opponents who doubt the appropriateness of more financial support for Kyiv. Zelensky wants to ease worries about continuous military aid by showing a clear road to peace
Is Zelensky's Diplomatic Blitz at the United Nations Enough?
Zelensky started a fierce diplomatic campaign at the United Nations before encountering Biden. Almost always in New York, he addressed the UN General Assembly and the Security Council and participated in discussions on possible UN changes. Zelensky has also convened meetings between talks with U.S. officials and other leaders to galvanize support worldwide.
During one well-publicized excursion, Joe Biden visited an ammunition manufacturer in Scranton, Pennsylvania—his hometown—that supplies artillery rounds for Ukraine’s military.
This is our last assault, as Zelensky has underlined. October, November, and December need agreements secured.
How Does the Fear of a Trump Presidency Drive Zelensky?
Zelensky’s urgency mainly derives from the approaching likelihood of a change in American leadership. Leading Republican nominee Donald Trump has been candidly skeptical of U.S. financial assistance for Ukraine.
Trump called Zelensky “the greatest salesman in history” during a recent campaign event and then said, “Every time he comes into this country, he walks away with $60 billion.”
Trump has said time and again that he would want Russia and Ukraine to negotiate a peace agreement that Kyiv worries would compel them to embrace territorial losses without ensuring future defense from Russian aggression.
Zelensky’s present diplomatic frenzy is motivated by this prospect. Preventing a possibly negative outcome under a Trump president depends on getting Biden’s support for the Victory Plan and ongoing U.S. military and financial support.
What Role Will Congress and U.S. Rivals Play in Ukraine's Victory Plan?
The Victory Plan will be given to congressional representatives and U.S. presidential candidates—including Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is anticipated to seek the Democratic nomination.
As the 2024 election approaches, several Republican legislators and political experts have voiced worries about extended U.S. engagement in Ukraine. Therefore, Biden’s backing is rather essential.
Zelensky’s strategy revolves mainly around a desire for more robust military capability. Military experts claim the Victory Plan will primarily focus on “hitting Russia strongly.”
“Kyiv must be able to demolish military hardware within a three hundred kilometer radius. Experts advise that this would drastically undermine Russia’s effort in the Donbas and limit their capacity to counteract Ukraine’s activities in the Kursk area.
Western partners have denied Ukraine authorization to launch long-range missiles on targets well within Russian territory at now, but with Biden’s backing, this might change. While missiles may pass strongly guarded installations, Ukraine has had success with drone assaults on Russian munitions stockpiles.
Is NATO Membership Key to Ukraine's Future Security?
The Victory Plan also heavily relies on Ukraine’s desire to join NATO—officials from Zelensky’s office claim that Ukraine’s admission to NATO is still essential for the strategy.
Ukraine aggressively seeks future security assurances, and NATO membership is considered a vital first step towards guaranteeing long-term defense against Russian attack.
Rumors regarding possible truce negotiations by Kyiv have also increased, and Zelensky’s administration fiercely refutes them. Most Ukrainians find it unimaginable to consider giving Russia any land.
Will Ukraine Ever Concede Territory to Russia?
Public opinion in Ukraine is still totally against territorial concessions. Viewers think that Ukrainians perceive it as not only a matter of land but also of defending people living in seized territory who have suffered violence and violations of their rights.
One close to the government stated, “It’s not that Ukrainians are greedy about the territory.” “We cannot abandon our people under Russian rule and sentence them to those horrors.”
Many Ukrainian troops, including a 31-year-old warrior whose face and arms were seriously burnt by a Russian drone, feel this way. He fervently feels that any ceasefire today would dishonor the offerings made by his friends.
“We will not give up our territories, for which so many people have fallen,” the soldier stated. “What would we have been fighting for if we had stopped the battle at this point? What did all of our guys, our friends, die for?
Already scheduled for return to the front lines is the soldier, still healing from his injuries. “I will not retreat,” he said. “I will be there till my last breath.”
Is There Enough Time for Zelensky's Victory Plan?
Zelensky is sure that Ukraine cannot afford to wait while Moscow keeps sliding forward in Eastern Ukraine. He says a long-term truce would give Russia time to reorganize and fortify its army.
“A frozen conflict would mean more suffering, not peace,” Zelensky said in his recent remarks.
The effectiveness of Zelensky’s Victory Plan now depends on Biden’s reaction as Ukraine’s diplomatic effort intensifies. Although Washington’s ongoing backing is far from certain, Kyiv hopes a major assault over the next several months could change the war’s course. For Zelensky, this is a turning point for his leadership and Ukraine’s direction.
