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Zelensky Unveils 'Victory Plan,' Rules Out Ceding Territory; Kremlin Says Kyiv Needs to "Sober Up"

Oct 16, 2024, 10:05 AM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled a 'Victory Plan' aimed at ending Russia's aggression and ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty, explicitly ruling out any ceding of territory or freezing of the conflict. Presenting the plan, Zelensky declared that "Russia must lose" and emphasized that its implementation depends heavily on support from Ukraine's partners. Key points of the plan include defense operations to avoid the creation of buffer zones on Ukrainian territory, deployment of a comprehensive non-nuclear deterrence package to shield Ukraine and curb Russia's military capabilities, and the development of Ukraine's strategic and economic potential through agreements on joint protection of critical resources and investments. Zelensky's senior aide Mikhail Podoliak claimed that Russia must be sent "screaming in terror" for Kyiv to achieve its goals. Zelensky stressed that Russia must lose control over Ukraine permanently, asserting that this is essential not only for Ukraine's survival but also for peace in Europe. In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Zelensky's plan, stating that Kyiv needs to "sober up" and understand the futility of its policies. Peskov characterized the plan as the "same US plan" to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian.