Zelensky rules out ceding Ukrainian land in 'victory plan'

Ukrainian servicemen ride an armoured military vehicle on a road in the Donetsk region, on October 16, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [AFP]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday unveiled his long-awaited "victory plan" to end Russia's invasion, rejecting any territorial concessions and urging ramped-up Western backing, including an invitation to join NATO.

The United States announced a $425 million arms package for Kyiv hours after Zelensky's speech, vowing to give Ukraine the "equipment it needs to prevail".

After pushing back Russian troops at the start of the invasion in February 2022, Kyiv is now facing mounting pressure to find an exit strategy as its troops suffer battlefield losses and Moscow intensifies its strikes on infrastructure.

Russia has seized around a fifth of Ukraine's territory since the invasion began, reducing towns and cities to rubble and killing thousands of civilians.

But in his address to lawmakers in Kyiv on Wednesday, Zelensky ruled out the possibility that Ukraine could cede some territory to secure peace and also dismissed any pause in the conflict.

"Russia must lose the war against Ukraine. And this does not mean a freeze (in fighting) and it does not mean any trade in Ukraine's territory or sovereignty," the 46-year-old leader said, flanked by European Union and Ukrainian flags.

The number one priority in the five-part plan, the Ukrainian leader said, was closer integration with the US-led NATO defence alliance.

"The first point is an invitation to NATO, now," Zelensky said, claiming that Moscow had been undermining security in Europe for decades because Kyiv was not a member.

Kremlin derides 'futile' plan

Zelensky also said that his country's Western allies should lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons so Kyiv can target Russian military sites on occupied Ukrainian territory and also within Russia.

The Kremlin immediately dismissed Zelensky's roadmap to end the grinding conflict, describing it as "some ephemeral peace plan".

"The only peace plan there can be for the Kyiv regime to realise the futility of the policy it is pursuing and understand the need to sober up," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The foreign ministry meanwhile said Zelensky's plan meant "trouble for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people".

"He is pushing NATO members towards a direct conflict with our country," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Russia has demanded Kyiv abandon territory Moscow already controls in the east and south of Ukraine as a precondition for peace talks.

The Russian military announced during Zelensky's address that it had captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine, where its forces are steadily advancing.

The White House meanwhile pledged to give Ukraine a $425 million arms package including air defences, armoured vehicles and "critical munitions" after the speech.

During a phone call, US President Joe Biden briefed Zelensky "on his efforts to surge security assistance to Ukraine over the remainder of his term in office," the White House said.

Zelensky said he was grateful for Washington's "unwavering support".

'Coalition of criminals'

In his address, Zelensky criticised China, Iran and North Korea for their support for Moscow, renewing accusations that Pyongyang was sending its citizens to work in Russian factories and fight alongside Russian forces.

"The coalition of criminals along with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin already includes North Korea," Zelensky told lawmakers. "Everyone sees the Iranian regime's assistance to Putin, and also China's cooperation with Russia."

Kyiv has dismissed any rival plans to end the war, including those put forward by Brazil and China, saying they lack guarantees for Ukraine's security or the war-battered country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He visited European leaders last week in a bid to promote the plan and secure as much aid as possible, as future backing from Washington hinges on the outcome of presidential elections next month.

On Wednesday, he said he had discussed a secret annexe to the "victory plan" with the United States, Britain, France, Italy and Germany to deploy on Ukrainian territory a "non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" that would discourage future Russian attacks after the war.

He also said he would present the plan in full at an EU summit on Thursday, urging more Western support and an invitation to NATO.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that Berlin wanted to explore ways towards ending the war, while stressing this had to happen in concert with Kyiv.

"Alongside clear support for Ukraine, it is time for us to do everything we can to explore how we can get to a situation where this war doesn't carry on indefinitely," Scholz told Germany's parliament, saying he was open to talks involving Putin.