Zelensky Unveils Five-Point “Victory Plan” for Ukraine, Including NATO Membership During War

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled a five-point “victory plan” aimed at ending the conflict by next year, which includes a controversial proposal: inviting Ukraine to join NATO while fighting continues, The Associated Press reports.

In a speech to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, Zelensky said that granting Ukraine membership in the alliance would be a “testament of (allies’) determination” to support Ukraine, a longtime plea he has been pushing for since 2022, urging the Western nations to provide significant financial and military aid to the country.

This ambitious proposal, however, is likely to face major opposition from the United States and Germany.

NATO’s Article 5, which guarantees collective security for all members, is a cornerstone of the alliance’s credibility. Many states fear that inviting Ukraine into NATO while at war could trigger a wider conflict with Russia.

Zelensky also acknowledged a growing shift in Western rhetoric towards “negotiations” with Russia as the Western attention shifts towards other global crises and domestic political concerns.

The US elections in November, in particular, could have a major impact on Ukraine’s fortunes, as Washington has been the biggest provider of military aid, according to the report.

Other aspects of Zelensky’s “victory plan” include continued strikes on Russian soil, including the incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region that began in August, and more long-range drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, a move that Moscow has previously strongly warned against, stating that it would mean the involvement of NATO in the conflict with Russia.

Zelensky’s plan also includes confidential sections not disclosed to the public.