Zelenskyy's new plan for Ukraine stirs debate among Western allies

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put forward a new plan to end Ukraines conflict with Russia‚ which has been going on for almost three years The plan‚ dubbed the “victory plan“ has got different reactions from Western allies

The plan asks for Ukraine to be formally invited to join NATO and for permission to use Western long-range missiles to hit military targets in Russia. These are steps that Kyivs allies havent been keen to support before

U.S. support is key for Zelenskyy to get other allies backing for his ideas‚ which he thinks are needed to make Ukraine stronger on the battlefield and in future peace talks. But experts say the Biden administration probably wont decide anything before the U.S. presidential election (which is happening in about two weeks)

Phillips OBrien‚ who teaches strategic studies at the University of St Andrews‚ said: “They seem to be just doing very little now and waiting for the election So much of the strategy will live or die in Washington“

Experts say the plan is a good move for Ukraines military efforts‚ but its also very ambitious. Allies are worried about making things worse with Russia‚ which has nuclear weapons. Ukraine has got Western support for things that were once thought unrealistic‚ like Patriot air defense systems and F-16 jets

The plan comes as Ukraines troops are having a hard time stopping Russias slow but steady progress in eastern Ukraine. It includes three “secret annexes“ that were only shown to some leaders. It also deals with partners worries about Ukraines strategy after the failed counterattack in summer 2023

Zelenskyy said the main aim is “to strengthen us and force Russia to come to the negotiating table with all partners“

I think people were potentially expecting some sort of more operational plan on winning the war

Reactions from allies have been mixed. The U.S. hasnt said much‚ but did give Ukraine a new $425 million package of security help. In Europe‚ responses ranged from strong opposition to full support

Without an invitation to join NATO‚ Ukraine wont have “assurance that its geopolitical future will not be a bargaining chip with Russia“ said Ukrainian analyst Hlib Voloskyi. Ukrainian officials say NATO is the only way to protect against Russias aggression after the war

Without Western help‚ Ukraine will find it hard to keep fighting a long war with Russia‚ which has support from North Korea Iran‚ and China. If Ukraine loses‚ it might have to negotiate on Russias terms