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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to present a “victory plan” for Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia during his visit to the United States this week. He will discuss the plan with President Joe Biden, members of Congress, and the two leading US presidential candidates, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
Zelensky is also expected to push for permission from the US and its allies to allow Ukraine to use supplied missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory for the first time in the war. His visit aligns with ongoing efforts from the White House to finalize a new $375 million military aid package for Ukraine.
He will discuss the plan with President Joe Biden, members of Congress, and the two leading US presidential candidates, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
“This autumn will determine the future of this war,” Zelensky wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. In a statement previewing his visit, he outlined three key components of his plan: securing additional weapons, pursuing diplomatic measures to pressure Russia into peace negotiations, and holding Moscow accountable for its full-scale invasion in 2022.
For months, Ukraine has been requesting that the US, UK, and other Western allies lift restrictions on using long-range missiles to target sites in Russia, which Kyiv claims are launching attacks. Earlier in September, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any such strikes could be seen as NATO’s direct involvement in the war. When asked on Sunday whether he had decided on allowing Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles, Biden simply replied, “No.”
Trump has previously criticized US support for Ukraine, praised Putin, and suggested he would “probably” meet with Zelensky. The former president has claimed he could end the war “within 24 hours” if re-elected, though he has not provided specifics. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, after meeting with Trump in March, stated that Trump had promised not to “spend a penny” on the Ukraine-Russia war, claiming this would bring an end to the conflict.
Trump has previously criticized US support for Ukraine, praised Putin, and suggested he would “probably” meet with Zelensky.
Zelensky also expressed deep appreciation for the ongoing support from Ukraine’s allies, singling out the US as the country’s “leading supporter.” To date, the US has provided $56 billion in defense aid to Ukraine.
After arriving in the US on Sunday, Zelensky visited Scranton, Pennsylvania—President Biden’s birthplace—where he toured a munitions factory contributing to Ukraine’s war effort. Following his meetings in Washington, Zelensky is expected to travel to New York for a United Nations Security Council session on Tuesday and a speech at the General Assembly on Wednesday.
