Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, is set to present a "victory plan" to US President Joe Biden during his upcoming visit to the United States. This plan, aimed at achieving a just peace in Ukraine, will include requests for strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities and permission to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
In a meeting with journalists on September 20, 2024, Zelensky emphasized the potential historical significance of Biden's decisions. He stated, "Biden can strengthen Ukraine and make important decisions for Ukraine to become stronger and protect its independence while he is the president of the United States. I think it is a historical mission, at least from the perspective of Ukraine."
Ukraine has been intensifying its appeals for Western partners to approve the use of long-range weapons, including the US-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) and the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles. These weapons have ranges of up to 300 km and 560 km, respectively, significantly enhancing Ukraine's strike capabilities.
Western partners have been hesitant to grant such permission, citing concerns about potential Russian escalation. However, Ukrainian officials express frustration with this argument, pointing out that after 2.5 years of full-scale war, no real red lines have been identified despite repeated threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's need for both more long-range weapons and the authorization to use them inside Russia. He stated, "Neither America nor the United Kingdom gave us permission to use these weapons on the territory of Russia, on any targets at any distance. We have not used long-range weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation."
The Ukrainian President believes that while Biden may be receiving information about potential Russian escalation, not everyone in his administration shares this view. Zelensky sees this as progress and hopes to present compelling arguments during their meeting.
"We had some decisions in the history of our relationship with Biden, there were very interesting and difficult dialogues. He later changed his point of view."
In addition to meeting with Biden, Zelensky plans to discuss his "victory plan" with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female, African American, and Asian American to hold this position. He also intends to meet with former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of engaging with potential future US leaders.
Zelensky's visit comes at a critical time for Ukraine. Since the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, the country has faced significant challenges. Ukraine's GDP contracted by about 29.1% in 2022, and over 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced according to UN estimates. The Ukrainian Armed Forces, with approximately 255,000 active personnel, continue to defend against the much larger Russian military, which boasts around 900,000 active personnel.
The United States has been a crucial ally for Ukraine, providing over $75 billion in assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion. However, as the conflict enters its third year, Zelensky seeks to secure continued and enhanced support to achieve a favorable outcome for Ukraine.
As Zelensky prepares to present his case to US leaders, he remains focused on garnering support from both the executive and legislative branches. "I will also talk to the Congress. I need their support in this matter," he stated, underscoring the importance of US backing for Ukraine's future.