Zelenskyy's 'wish list' met with cool response at UN Assembly
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the so-called victory plan in New York. According to Bloomberg, however, it contained no significant turning points but rather a "wish list." Allies did not show enthusiasm, especially as concerns grew over Russian armament plans.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a plan outlining a path to victory in the conflict with Russia on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting.
The plan was supposed to contain four main points. First, a request for Western security guarantees similar to those afforded to NATO members; second, the continuation of Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region to gain territorial bargaining chips; third, a request for "specific" advanced weapons; and fourth, international financial assistance for Ukraine's devastated economy.
According to Bloomberg, Zelenskyy's plan received a lacklustre response from allies. The agency's sources indicated that it did not contain groundbreaking solutions, and during internal discussions, it was regarded more as a wish list.
More weapons
Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, emphasized that Ukraine has increased weapons production sixfold since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion but lacks the resources and technology to produce everything needed.
Yermak called on allies to increase and expedite the delivery of military aid packages. "Air defence equipment, drones, electronic warfare equipment, long-range systems and artillery shells are on our priority list," he specified.
He also noted that part of the victory plan is inviting Ukraine to NATO and urged partners to ignore threats of escalation from Russia.
The West eyes Russian production
As Bloomberg points out, Western countries are beginning to worry about their security as Russia continues to produce weapons that could be used beyond Ukraine.
According to a draft three-year budget obtained by the agency, Moscow plans to increase defence spending to a historically high level of 13.2 trillion roubles (approximately £106 billion) in 2025.
