LONDON/PARIS/ROME, Oct 10 (Askume) – President Zelenskyy on Thursday discussed his proposed “victory plan” with the leaders of Britain, France and Italy and incoming NATO leaders to eventually commit to peace talks and to be prepared to accept military assistance.

      Both Western officials and Zelensky say the war with Russia is reaching a critical juncture . With the U.S. election less than a month away and fears of a Russian attack on Ukraine’s vital energy infrastructure in the winter, Ukrainian leaders are seeking greater support from the West in an effort to tip the balance on the battlefield.

      Asked about a possible peace summit in Paris, Zelensky told reporters, “The next peace summit will be held in November. The plan will be presented in early November… The plan will include all the details of the ceasefire.”

      He did not give any specific details about the planned conquest of London or Paris.

      Earlier, Zelensky spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In addition to the “Victory Plan”, they also discussed whether Ukraine could use Western missiles to attack targets in Russia.

      Zelensky urged the United States and Britain to join France in allowing Russia to use long-range missiles donated by its allies, an issue that Rutte said was raised at the meeting.

      “We discussed it today, but ultimately it is up to individual colleagues,” Rutte told reporters in Downing Street after the talks.

      Starmer’s spokesman said the British government’s position on the use of long-range missiles had not changed.

      Russia has previously said it would respond if Western countries allow Ukraine to attack Russia with missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that such a decision would mean NATO countries fighting Russia directly and “the nature of this conflict would change.”

      The situation in Ukraine

      Unlike the United Kingdom and the United States, France said Ukraine should be allowed to use SCALP cruise missiles (the French version of the British Storm Shadow) to attack targets in Russia. It is unclear whether Ukraine has done so.

      Another ally, Italy, strongly opposes Ukraine’s use of the “Shadow of the Storm” to attack Russia.

      However, Meloni said after the talks that Italy was committed to helping Ukraine for as long as necessary.

      “Our support is aimed at putting Ukraine in the best position possible to shape the peace negotiating table, which does not mean surrender, as many suggest,” he said.

      Friday’s meeting in Berlin, along with meetings across Europe, was aimed at laying out Ukraine’s position and potentially outlining an acceptance of demands for future peace talks, after US President Joe Biden canceled a summit in Germany of Ukraine’s main supporters to withdraw his nomination to focus on Hurricane Milton .

      After the London meeting, Zelenskyy said they had outlined how to create “appropriate conditions for a just end to the war,” but he did not elaborate.

      In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to show that France fully supports Kiev in the war despite domestic political difficulties, raising questions about how much aid France will be able to provide in the coming months.

      Macron said France would stick to its existing commitments, which include providing 3 billion euros ($3.28 billion) in aid this year. Paris is training and equipping a brigade of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers and plans to send Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine early next year.

      Macron said alongside Zelensky, “it is very important to discuss military and diplomatic actions with the president in the coming weeks and months.”

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      Last Update: October 11, 2024