Ukraine to present 'victory plan' to US - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described his troops’ recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region as part of a broader “victory plan” that he intends to present to U.S. President Joe Biden next month. Speaking at a forum on Tuesday, Zelensky emphasized that the success of this plan heavily depends on U.S. support, particularly on whether the U.S. will provide Ukraine with the necessary resources and autonomy to execute the plan effectively.

Zelensky acknowledged that the plan might seem ambitious to some but stressed its importance for Ukraine’s strategy in the ongoing conflict. He also indicated that he plans to share the details of this plan with U.S. presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, underlining the significance of continued American backing in Ukraine’s efforts against Russia.

The incursion into Kursk, which took place in early August, marks a notable escalation in the conflict, with Ukraine now reportedly controlling approximately 1,294 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory, including 100 settlements. However, these figures have yet to be independently verified. Ukraine’s top military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, clarified that Ukraine does not intend to retain the captured territory permanently. Instead, the incursion aims to distract Russian forces from their offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, particularly the strategic town of Pokrovsk.

President Zelensky also announced that Ukraine had successfully tested a domestically-produced ballistic missile, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to develop its own military hardware. While Ukraine has relied on U.S.-provided ballistic missiles in its conflict with Russia, the development of domestic production is seen as a step toward reducing dependency on Western aid.

Despite these advancements, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine still heavily relies on foreign military supplies, particularly newly arrived F-16 fighter jets, which have been used to intercept Russian missiles in recent days. Russia’s recent barrage of drone and missile attacks, which have caused fatalities and power outages in Ukraine, underscores Moscow’s continued commitment to the war.

In response to the incursion and Zelensky’s remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the possibility of peace talks, stating that the relevance of negotiations has diminished in the current context.