Zelensky gives his 'victory plan' a hard sell in the US - did the pitch fall flat?

During a significant visit to the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aimed to present his 'victory plan' to key American leaders, including President Joe Biden. This visit was seen as a crucial opportunity for Ukraine to secure support in its ongoing conflict with Russia. However, the outcome of this high-profile meeting remains uncertain, as it appears that Zelensky did not achieve all of his objectives. Notably, his comments regarding former President Donald Trump and his vice-presidential candidate JD Vance have drawn criticism. Mariya Zolkina, a political analyst from Ukraine, described these remarks as a 'big mistake'. Additionally, Zelensky's visit to an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania was labeled as election interference by a senior Republican congressman, which took his team by surprise, as they are typically known for their effective public relations strategies. Zelensky's visit was strategically timed to garner essential support for Ukraine's war efforts, especially with President Biden nearing the end of his term. However, it coincided with a highly charged US election campaign, making it a delicate situation. After initial reports suggested that Trump would not meet with Zelensky, the two leaders eventually came together at Trump Tower in New York City. Their encounter was marked by some awkward moments, particularly when Trump claimed to have a 'very good relationship' with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This statement was uncomfortable for Zelensky, who attempted to clarify that he hoped his relationship with Trump was better than with Putin, a comment that Trump dismissed with laughter. Following the meeting, Zelensky characterized the discussions as 'very productive', but there is little indication that he succeeded in altering Trump's fundamental stance on the war. At a rally in Michigan, Trump reiterated his desire to quickly 'settle' the conflict, a statement that raised concerns among many about the potential for reduced aid to Ukraine. In contrast, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris criticized Trump, asserting that those advocating for Ukraine to relinquish land for peace were endorsing 'proposals for surrender'. Throughout the week, Zelensky engaged in a whirlwind of diplomatic meetings and media interviews, including appearances at the United Nations. Prior to his meeting with Biden, there were reports of additional financial support for Ukraine, but the discussions with Biden were cordial yet ambiguous regarding their outcomes. Zelensky presented his 'victory plan' to Biden, but the specifics of this plan have not been disclosed. It is widely believed that one component of the plan involves requesting permission to use Western-made long-range missiles to target military installations deep within Russia. Zelensky has been seeking this authorization for some time, but it has not yet been granted. Another aspect of the plan is a request for stronger security guarantees, including a long-desired invitation to join NATO. While NATO has expressed supportive sentiments regarding Ukraine's future membership, it has been made clear that this will not occur while the country remains engaged in conflict. Russian forces continue to operate actively, despite Ukraine's unexpected incursion into the Kursk region. Just before their meeting, Biden announced an additional $7. 9 billion in military aid for Ukraine. The overarching goal of Zelensky's 'victory plan' is to enhance Ukraine's position on the battlefield and encourage Putin to pursue a diplomatic resolution. However, Zolkina believes that the proposals did not generate much enthusiasm among American leaders. She noted that Ukraine is determined to pursue its ambitions, but the US is not yet fully aligned with those goals. Critics of Biden have accused him of hesitating to grant permission for long-range missiles, as he navigates the political landscape to support Harris's campaign. Zolkina indicated that significant announcements were not anticipated during this week, although there remains hope that permission could eventually be granted. In Ukraine, many citizens firmly believe that conceding land to Russia is not an option, as they fear it would allow Putin to regroup and launch further attacks. Zolkina posits that discussions surrounding a ceasefire could evolve if substantial security guarantees were offered. If Ukraine were assured NATO membership or a robust security agreement with a major international player, the conversation about a potential tactical ceasefire might shift, and political resistance could diminish. This week, Zelensky made a concerted effort to promote his 'victory plan', but the reality is that Washington has yet to demonstrate significant eagerness to support it, especially as events in the Middle East continue to divert attention from Russia's ongoing invasion.