President Zelenskyy of Ukraine recently called for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine by no later than 2025 while advocating for progress on his country’s NATO membership. Speaking during a visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia for the Ukraine – Southeast Europe summit, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of decisive action from world leaders such as President Biden and key European countries to bring security and peace to Europe. He highlighted that inviting Ukraine into NATO and future membership would be a significant step towards world peace. Zelenskyy also signed an agreement with Croatia on cooperation in areas such as humanitarian aid, demining, and war crimes prosecution.
During the summit attended by leaders from various south eastern European states, a joint declaration was passed condemning Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine and supporting Zelenskyy’s efforts for peace, Ukraine’s NATO membership, and its reconstruction post-war. However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed concerns about Ukraine joining NATO, stating that peace in Ukraine would be impossible if the country became part of the alliance. This comes as President Zelenskyy aims to present his ‘victory plan’ to Western leaders, which was postponed due to US President Biden’s response to Hurricane Milton in Florida. Zelenskyy intends to present the plan to leaders from Britain, France, Italy, and Germany this week. The plan focuses on strengthening Ukraine geopolitically and on the battlefield before engaging in dialogue with Russia.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Western allies to support Ukraine with security guarantees, weapons, and future plans post-war in order to deter Russian President Putin, who only understands force. While the specifics of the victory plan are undisclosed, the urgency for fast action on decisions such as the use of long-range weapons to target Russian assets has been emphasized. The postponement of the meeting with Western leaders has not deterred Zelenskyy’s determination to present his plan and seek support for Ukraine’s strength and security. The situation in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict with Russia require immediate action and collaboration from the international community to ensure peace and stability in the region.
In the face of Russia’s aggression and the continued conflict in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy remains committed to ending the war by 2025 and securing Ukraine’s NATO membership. The joint declaration passed at the summit in Dubrovnik reflects the solidarity of southeast European states in condemning Russia’s actions and supporting Ukraine’s path to peace and reconstruction. Zelenskyy’s ‘victory plan’ aims to strengthen Ukraine’s position geopolitically and militarily before engaging in any dialogue with Russia, emphasizing the importance of Western support in achieving this goal. The postponement of the meeting with Western leaders has not dampened Zelenskyy’s resolve to present his plan and seek backing for Ukraine’s security and future post-war.
As Zelenskyy prepares to present his plan to key European leaders this week, the urgency of the situation in Ukraine and the need for immediate action are clear. Despite the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, Zelenskyy remains optimistic about the support Ukraine can receive from its allies to strengthen its position and deter further aggression from Russia. The significance of Ukraine’s NATO membership and the implications this has on regional security and peace are central themes in Zelenskyy’s efforts to bring an end to the war and secure Ukraine’s future. By working in collaboration with international partners, Zelenskyy hopes to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region, ensuring a prosperous and secure future for Ukraine and its people.
