Zelensky counts on Biden's support for Ukraine's victory plan, but has Plan B
Photo: REUTERS / Valentyn
The Ukrainian plan to win the war relies on US President Joe Biden's support, a critical element in the strategy, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He described the thought of Biden rejecting the plan as a "horrible thought" during an interview with New Yorker, Rubryka reports.
When asked whether Kyiv has a backup plan if Biden refuses to support the victory plan, Zelensky replied, "We have been living in Plan B for years."
He explained that "Plan A" was originally proposed before the full-scale invasion, focusing on preventive sanctions and strengthening Ukraine's defenses. However, at that time, international partners did not heed Ukraine's warnings.
"I'm now proposing a new Plan A. This plan means we change the current course, where it's only thanks to the strength of our military, the heroic devotion to the European values of our people and our fighters, that we have stood our ground. If you don't want this war to drag on, if you do not want Putin to bury us under the corpses of his people, taking more Ukrainian lives in the process, we offer you a plan to strengthen Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The plan outlines actions that Ukraine's partners can take without involving Russia, meaning the plan does not depend on cooperation from Moscow. According to Zelensky, its success relies solely on Kyiv and its international allies.
This strategy was designed with Biden's support in mind, but Zelensky acknowledged that if Biden does not support it, Ukraine will continue with Plan B. Nonetheless, the president called the idea of Biden's refusal a "horrible thought," as it could mean "Biden doesn't want to end the war in a way that prevents a Russian victory."
Such a scenario, Zelensky warned, would result in "a very long war—an impossible, exhausting situation that would kill a tremendous number of people."
What is known about Ukraine's Victory Plan
Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine aims to end the war while strengthening its battlefield capabilities. By maintaining pressure on Russia, Ukraine seeks to force a diplomatic resolution. The "Victory Plan" includes maintaining all Ukrainian territory and achieving lasting peace through the "peace formula."
Ukraine plans to present this strategy to international partners, including during Zelensky's September meeting with President Biden, where lifting restrictions on long-range missiles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is expected to be a key topic.
On September 18, Zelensky confirmed that the victory plan is fully prepared. The US has already reviewed the plan and believes it "can work."
Zelensky also noted that Ukraine's victory plan will be open to all countries, including Russia, which may even participate in the second peace summit.
