Zelensky arrived in Brussels on Thursday morning to tell more about his plan to the EU countries' heads of state and government.
The most important thing about this plan is that it doesn't depend on what Russia wants, but only on what our partners can do, said the president.
The hope is for peace as early as 2025.
If we start now and follow the plan, we can put an end to the war as early as next year. The victory plan is a bridge to a successful second ceasefire meeting, claimed Zelensky.
One of the puzzle pieces is getting clearance to strike targets inside Russia.
So that the Russians can start feeling the war and start hating Putin for it.
"Not alone"
At a press conference afterwards, he didn't want to go into what he had heard from the EU leaders or any promises of various forms of support or a NATO invitation.
But if we don't get support, it will be very difficult. It will instead strengthen Russia. That would be a big mistake, said Zelensky, among other things.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) emphasized at the same time that the summit primarily dealt with listening to the plan – not approving it or giving it their support.
Is the plan realistic?
It's very difficult to evaluate that. I haven't seen the whole thing yet. But the basic prerequisites, that Ukraine should have the right to its territorial integrity, that Ukraine should be able to defend itself with full force with the weapons we give them, and that Ukraine has a place in both the EU and NATO, those are extremely realistic things, said Kristersson on his way into the meeting.
Third World War?
From Hungary – the EU's most Ukraine-skeptical country – it's thumbs down, however.
"Zelensky presented his so-called 'victory plan'. Every step points to an escalation. This is the fastest way to the Third World War", wrote Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's chief of staff Balázs Orbán on X about the plan.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, however, promises that the EU as a whole stands firmly by Ukraine's side.
Our support is unwavering and will continue as long as it's needed, she says at the press conference after the summit.
Peter Wallberg/TT
Wiktor Nummelin/TT
Facts: Zelensky's victory plan
TTTT
As far as is known, Ukraine's victory plan contains five points and three secret appendices.
Point one deals with Ukraine getting a NATO invitation now, even if the actual membership may wait.
Point two deals with an irreversible strengthening of Ukraine's defense, including the USA and other countries giving Ukraine permission to use donated long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russia.
The third point involves NATO countries setting up a "comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" on Ukrainian soil to protect the country from military threats from Russia in the future.
Point four deals with economic support, while point five concerns Ukraine's opportunities to support other European countries with their defense after the war.
