Zelensky outlines his ‘victory plan’ to Ukraine’s lawmakers, including a call to join NATO
LA TimesPresident Volodymyr Zelensky told lawmakers Wednesday that Ukraine’s Western partners are increasing pressure to negotiate with Russia, but he hinted such talks would be unfavorable to Kyiv as he unveiled what he called his “victory plan” for the war. He reckons that such an invitation would alter President Vladimir Putin’s “geopolitical calculations.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte remained noncommittal after the plan was unveiled. Zelensky said granting Ukraine an invitation to NATO would be a “testament of determination” by its allies to support Kyiv. We were waiting for some real serious conversation about the situation and the strategy, and this is not that.” He said that delivering a plan purported to be about victory as Russia advances in the east is “contradictory.” Lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko, from Zelensky’s party, called it “realistic and rather pragmatic,” adding: “It can be implemented if we have enough aid and support from our allies and partners.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocked it as “ephemeral,” and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it “a set of incoherent slogans.” In his speech, Zelensky also underscored his recent claim that North Korea is sending military personnel as well as ammunition to help Russia’s war effort, and that Iran and China also are aiding Moscow.