Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to present his “plan for victory” to President Joe Biden during his visit to the US this week.
After meeting with Biden, Zelensky aims to share the plan with Congress and the two candidates in the upcoming US election: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Despite Trump’s previous criticisms of US support for Ukraine and his favorable remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin, he indicated he would “probably” meet with Zelensky.
Zelensky’s visit coincides with efforts by the White House to prepare a new $375 million military aid package for Ukraine as he also attends the UN General Assembly.
“This fall will determine the future of this war,” Zelensky stated in a post on X, accompanying his nightly video address from his plane.
In a preview of his visit, Zelensky outlined three key components of his victory plan: increasing military weapon donations, pursuing diplomatic efforts to pressure Russia into peace, and holding Moscow accountable for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine has been urging the US, UK, and other Western allies to lift restrictions on the use of long-range missiles, which it needs to target sites in Russia that are believed to facilitate attacks.
Earlier this month, Putin warned Western nations that he would view long-range missile strikes as “direct participation” by NATO in the conflict.
When asked by reporters on Sunday if he had decided on allowing Ukraine to use US-made long-range weapons, President Biden replied “no.”
Trump has previously suggested he could end the war “within 24 hours” if re-elected, but he has not provided specifics beyond calling US support for Ukraine a waste of money.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that during a March meeting, Trump indicated he would “not give a penny” towards the Ukraine-Russia war, claiming that would lead to its end.
Zelensky also expressed gratitude for the support from Ukraine’s allies, particularly the US, which has been the largest foreign donor to Ukraine, contributing $56 billion (£42 million) for its defense.
“I thank every nation and every leader who understands that this war, Russia’s war against Ukraine, is about much more than just our fate,” he remarked.
After his visit to Washington, Zelensky is expected to travel to New York for the UN, where he will participate in a Security Council meeting on Tuesday and deliver a speech at the General Assembly on Wednesday.
