Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of a “very long war” if US President Joe Biden does not support his new “victory plan,” The New Yorker reports.
In an interview conducted in Kyiv, Zelenskyy discussed his upcoming trip to the US on 25 September, where he plans to present this plan to Biden at the White House.
The Ukrainian President described his victory plan as “a bridge” designed to strengthen Ukraine swiftly.
“A strong Ukraine will force Putin to the negotiating table. I’m convinced of that,” Zelenskyy told The New Yorker.
He emphasized that the plan outlines specific steps to bolster Ukraine during October, November, and December to enable a diplomatic end to the war.
Zelenskyy expressed concern about the possibility of Biden rejecting his proposal. “That’s a horrible thought. It would mean that Biden doesn’t want to end the war in any way that denies Russia a victory,” he said. The Ukrainian president added that such a scenario would result in “a very long war—an impossible, exhausting situation that would kill a tremendous number of people.”
According to The New Yorker, Zelenskyy’s trip to the US is crucial, with the Ukrainian counter-offensive having made limited progress and Russian forces steadily increasing their foothold in the Donbas Oblast. Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine’s challenges, including difficulties in mobilizing and training new soldiers and maintaining effective communication on the front lines.
During his visit to the US, Zelenskyy is set to meet with key US political figures, including President Joe Biden, Republican candidate Donald Trump, and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. The primary focus of these meetings will be the presentation of what he refers to as Ukraine’s Victory Plan.
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