Volodymyr Zelenskyy Pushes for U.S. Support on Long-Range Strikes, Reveals Peace Proposal Amid Ongoing War with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in the United States on Sunday for high-stakes meetings, where he will present a “victory plan” to President Joe Biden and key political figures, including presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The visit comes as Ukraine seeks to ramp up pressure on the West to allow the use of long-range NATO weapons against targets deep within Russian territory — a move Washington has so far resisted.
Critical Peace Talks on the Horizon
Zelenskyy’s visit aims to lay out his vision for a “fair and stable peace” after more than 30 months of brutal warfare with Russia. While details of the plan remain under wraps, the Ukrainian leader has promised Biden will be the first foreign leader to see it in full before it is shared with other allies. The plan, expected to be completed by November, outlines “quick and concrete steps” Ukraine’s strategic partners must take to help end the war.
Biden, Trump, and Harris on Deck
The Ukrainian president’s U.S. tour will include meetings with members of Congress, Harris, and Trump. Harris has signaled support for continuing Biden’s Ukraine policies, while Trump has been vocal in his criticism of the billions in aid sent to Kyiv. Zelenskyy’s ability to sway the U.S. political landscape could be pivotal as the war drags on and U.S. elections loom.
Appeal for Stronger Weaponry
During his first stop in Pennsylvania, Zelenskyy visited a factory producing crucial 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine’s defense, expressing gratitude to the workers for their role in supporting the fight. He is expected to push Biden to allow Kyiv to target Russian positions within Russia’s borders, arguing that it is essential to Ukraine’s survival and long-term peace.
Russia Unlikely to Join Talks
Zelenskyy has left the door open for Russia’s participation in a potential second international peace summit in November, but Moscow has already signaled it will not attend. Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that Ukraine must cede four of its regions as a precondition for any talks — a demand Kyiv has outright rejected.
With intense fighting continuing on the frontlines, including Ukraine’s advances in Russia’s Kursk region, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that neither side appears genuinely interested in diplomatic talks at this stage, with both still eyeing a potential military victory.
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