Ukraine's allies believe that President Volodymyr Zelensky may change his approach to the terms of ending the war. NATO is currently looking for ways to end hostilities, Bloomberg reports, citing informed sources among senior NATO officials.
Although Zelensky has publicly named Ukraine's main demands as a full withdrawal of Russian troops and NATO membership, he has also ruled out any concessions on sovereignty or territory. However, as the country prepares for a third winter of war and Western support begins to wane, Ukrainian officials hint at the need to begin discussions on a strategy to end the conflict.
More details were expected to be discussed at the Rammstein-style meeting. However, US President Joe Biden canceled the visit due to Hurricane Milton. At the same time, Zelensky is looking for support for his victory plan, which foresees concrete steps for a just end to the war, adds UNIAN.
US officials have asked Kiev to develop an action plan for next year, including military support and financial aid. Zelensky promised to provide details after consultations with allies. But he categorically rejects the possibility of territorial concessions, even as some Western partners insist that Ukraine present a clearer vision for the end of the war.
On Monday, Zelensky said: "We invite our partners to define how they see the end of this war, Ukraine's place in the global security architecture and the joint steps that can lead to the end of this war.
Since Kiev has yet to reveal all the details of its "victory plan," one official suggested that Ukrainian officials may be counting on an element of strategic ambiguity to allow them to move forward.
Ukraine's NATO membership remains a major issue that divides the allies. Officials say Biden is under pressure to issue a direct invitation to Kiev to join the alliance. While the US president is unlikely to do so, such a proposal is seen as a potential trump card in any negotiations involving the Kremlin. At the same time, according to some analysts, solid bilateral security guarantees, especially from the US, could be a de facto substitute for membership.
Allies: Volodymyr Zelensky may also soften his stance on the terms of talks with Vladimir Putin
US officials have asked Kiev to develop an action plan for next year, including military support and financial aid
Oct 9, 2024 13:17 128