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19-10-2024
KYIV: The Kremlin has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s so-called “victory plan” for the defence of his country might lead to direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
The comments were released on Thursday by the Russian state news agency TASS, and came after Zelenskyy travelled to European Union headquarters in Brussels in an attempt to rally support for his plan.
The Ukrainian leader spoke with leaders of several European allies, including Greece and Norway, who agreed new deals to provide fighter jet pilot training, and energy supplies.
He also said joining NATO remained a primary goal.
“Ukraine is a democratic nation that has proven it can defend the Euro-Atlantic region and our shared way of life,” he wrote on social media.
“For decades, Russia has used the geopolitical uncertainty caused by Ukraine not being in NATO. Now, the fact of an immediate invitation to Ukraine to join NATO would be decisive.”
Zelenskyy also met with European Council President Charles Michel to discuss his plan for victory and spoke to Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
At a joint press conference with the Ukrainian leader, Rutte said: “Ukraine will be member of NATO, there is no doubt about and until that happens we will make sure that Ukraine has everything it needs to prevail.”
The words from the top NATO official triggered an immediate warning from Russia.
State news agency TASS reported the Kremlin had said Zelenskyy’s plan would lead to further escalation with the risk of direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy had said Ukraine would continue to fight on against Russia’s invasion even if its Western allies do not support his proposals.
Training for F-16 pilots
He said he planned to press ahead with a second peace summit and announced a new deal signed with Greece to train and equip more F-16 fighter jet pilots.
“Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Greece has been providing military support to Ukraine, including material and technical assistance, as well as training,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media, where he posted images of him shaking hands with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
“Greece is ready to continue meeting Ukraine’s most urgent defence needs,” the Ukrainian leader said. “It will also provide additional resources to accelerate F-16 training for our pilots and technicians.”
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy outlined details of a plan he believes can secure victory when he addressed the Ukrainian parliament.
He said the plan has five parts. At its core is a proposal for a fast-track process for Ukraine to join NATO.
“If we start implementing this victory plan now, we may be able to end the war no later than next year,” he said.
He announced his tactics after failing to secure substantial new support in a series of meetings last week with European allies.
Zelenskyy is also aware of the great uncertainty presented by November’s elections in the United States.
US President Joe Biden has said the West has to “support Ukraine on its path to membership to both the EU and to NATO”, and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has been similarly strong in her language but Republican candidate Donald Trump, whom polls show to be in a very tight race with Harris, has been much less supportive. (Int’l News Desk)
