Russia on Friday dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s so-called “victory plan,” labeling it a strategy to maintain Western support rather than a genuine path toward diplomacy. Moscow stated that the plan has no connection to seeking a political or diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war, according to Reuters.
Zelensky announced on Wednesday that his peace plan, following extensive consultations, has been finalized. He is set to present it to U.S. President Joe Biden next week and will address the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that his initiative aims to create acceptable conditions for Ukraine, which has been fending off Russia’s invasion for two and a half years.
However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the plan during a press conference on Friday, calling it a “ploy” by Zelensky to draw the West further into direct conflict with Russia.
“The sole purpose of this initiative is to forge or prevent the collapse of the anti-Russian coalition. Of course, this has nothing to do with the task of finding a political and diplomatic solution to the situation around Ukraine,” Zakharova stated.
She reiterated Russia’s position that the West should stop funding and supplying weapons to Kyiv, adding that any initiative for peace that does not include Russia is futile.
