Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that his country is working on a comprehensive peace plan to end the Russian invasion, with the goal of finalizing it by November. The plan will address key issues such as energy safety, food security, and the release of Ukrainians imprisoned or forcibly moved into Russia.
Zelensky expressed his hope to present the plan to US President Joe Biden, as well as the top two candidates vying to replace him, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. He also announced plans to host a second peace summit, following the one held in Switzerland in June, which Russia did not attend.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that his administration is committed to ending the war as soon as possible, and that the peace plan will be a crucial step in achieving this goal. However, he made it clear that dialogue with Russia will not be part of the plan, stating that “there can be no compromises with Putin, dialogue today is in principle empty and meaningless because he does not want to end the war diplomatically.”
Zelensky’s remarks come as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with Russia launching a massive nationwide attack on Ukraine’s power grid on Monday. Despite this, Ukraine remains committed to its efforts to end the war, and Zelensky’s peace plan is seen as a key part of this effort.
The Ukrainian president is expected to travel to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly, where he plans to share a version of the peace plan with Biden. He emphasized that the success of the plan depends on the support of the US, and that he will ensure that Trump and Harris are “familiarized” with the details of the plan so that any incoming American administration is fully informed.
Zelensky’s relationship with Biden has been historically challenging, and the two leaders have had their differences on how to approach the conflict with Russia. However, Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to the US for its support in strengthening Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian president has also reached out to Trump, inviting him to Kyiv and discussing the possibility of a personal meeting to discuss steps towards a lasting peace. Trump has expressed his willingness to engage in such a meeting, and Zelensky has said that he is available to answer any questions Trump may have.
