Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s president, has cautioned that the country’s position in the conflict with Russia will become critically challenging if western allies fail to support Kyiv’s proposed victory strategy. In a statement issued following his presentation to the EU leaders at a Brussels summit, President Zelenskiy shared his plan of placing Ukraine in a robust position to coerce Russia into negotiations.
The proposition comprises an appeal for Ukraine to be granted NATO membership and consequently have its weapon and military equipment supply amplified by western allies, who would also lift any constraints on Ukraine’s army launching long-range missile attacks deep inside Russian grounds.
Zelenskiy revealed more about the assistance that is allegedly being provided by North Korea to Russia in the war against Ukraine. He was quoted saying, “We’re aware of approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers being readied to fight against us,” stating that these additional troops would compensate for the shortfall in the Russian army due to battlefield casualties. He also indicated that China’s continued support was assisting Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in prolonging the conflict.
In a conversation about his proposition for NATO membership with Donald Trump, the US Republican presidential candidate, Zelenskiy relayed that some areas of agreement had been reached. He claimed to have informed Trump that in return for a non-fulfilled security agreement, Ukraine had consented to relinquish its former Soviet nuclear arsenal.
While acknowledging the concerns of some in the US of expanding NATOpossibly dragging the country into direct conflict, Zelenskiy emphasised that Putin should not dictate the international order’s restrictions.
Ukraine aspires for Nato membership, a matter discussed with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but no firm answer has been offered from his side yet, as shared by Ukraine’s president, Mr Zelenskiy. They are banking on the possibility that Ukraine might be able to join the alliance post conflict through careful negotiations. He also mentioned the encouraging signs they’ve received from their western allies who are keen to donate long range missiles, thereby allowing Ukraine to strike deeper within Russian territories at military installations.
Mr Zelenskiy praised the efforts of his countrymen in Ukraine, stating they are doing everything in their power to safeguard their nation and its sovereignty. He firmly announced they would persist with their fight even if they don’t receive the desired support, vouching they would still battle for their rights.
The context of his comments is the ongoing escalation of Russian military activity, where Russian forces are advancing in the eastern part of Ukraine and aggressively targeting the country’s energy infrastructure as winter rolls in. This is the latest appeal from Ukraine to its European allies.