Ukraine-Russia latest: Zelensky unveils five-point ‘victory plan’ as Australia to deliver 49 Abrams tanks
Zelensky’s plan to end war includes bolstering Ukraine’s capability to reclaim territory and ‘to bring the war back to Russia’
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled the much-anticipatedfive-point “victory plan” which he says could bring an end to the war by the end of next year.
An invitation to join Nato and specific weapons support from western allies sits front-and-centre of Kyiv’s plan, which Zelensky discussed with the US, UK, France, Italy and Germany leaders in a whirlwind tour.
The plan’s third point calls for a non-nuclear deterrence mechanism with the power to destroy Russia’s military, Zelensky told the members of Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday morning.
Zelensky said there is a secret addendum to the third point, which he could not disclose.
In renewed Western aid to Kyiv, Australia is sending dozens of soon-to-be-replaced Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a new military support package worth $245m (£126m).
“This will bolster the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” the Australian government’s defence department said.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a Nato defence ministers’ meeting today, according to the bloc’s revised agenda.
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Ukraine has asked its allies to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang after it said North Korea had become a de facto participant in the war in Ukraine.
“These are workers for Russian factories to replace Russians killed in the war. And personnel for the Russian army. In fact, this is the participation of a second state in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia,” Mr Zelensky said.
Mr Zelensky said his spy services had confirmed North Korea’s supply of both weapons and people to Russia, echoing similar comments in recent days.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated the call and said Kyiv’s allies should respond firmly, including by imposing new sanctions and further isolating Pyongyang. “This is a huge threat of further escalation. We are approaching a new phase, new realities of war,” he said at a news conference in the Black Sea city of Odesa.
The Kremlin denies the allegation of North Korea sending personnel as “fake news”.
Biden announces $425m in military aid for Ukraine
Joe Biden spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky about efforts to surge security assistance to Ukraine and announced a new $425m (£327m) military aid package, the White House said.
The security package includes air defence capability, air-to-ground munitions, armoured vehicles and critical munitions, the White House said in a statement.
Mr Zelensky, writing on Telegram, expressed gratitude to Mr Biden, both parties of Congress and the American people for the new package and said he spoke to Mr Biden about Kyiv’s five-point “victory plan,” which he presented to parliament yesterday.
“I proposed considering the possibility of joint weapons production,” he said. “We also discussed the importance of additional training for Ukrainian soldiers.”
Ukraine, he said, thanked the United States “for its readiness to help Ukraine strengthen its positions to compel Russia towards honest diplomacy.”
US explains reason behind use of THAAD defence system in Israel, not Ukraine
The US will not use the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery in Ukraine, despite using it in Israel, because the situation is “different”.
Washington authorised the use of THAAD - an advanced surface-to-air interceptor - in Israel to boost its defence capabilities after Iran’s attack.
But Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the US would not deploy the same system in Romania or Poland to help protect Ukraine’s west, which comes under regular attack from Russian missiles.
“Different capabilities, different wars, different regions. The commitments also to Israel and Ukraine are different,” Singh said according to The Kyiv Independent.
It comes after president Volodymyr Zelensky said NATO countries could help shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, but that they were “not yet ready” to do this.
Zelensky said on October 3: “What works in the skies of the Middle East and helps Israel’s defence can work just as well in the skies of our part of Europe – in Ukraine – helping to save lives.”
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Explained: Ukraine’s defence as set out in Zelensky’s victory plan
Volodymyr Zelensky’s five-point victory plan includes defence as one of the top points for the war-hit nation.
The Ukrainian leader has called for a focus on strengthening Ukraine’s capability to reclaim territory and “to bring the war back to the Russian territory.”
The plan includes the continuation of military operations inside Russia with the aim of strengthening Ukraine’s ability to repel Russian forces from occupied territories in Ukraine.
It also involves enhancing air defence and jointly intercepting Russian missiles and drones with neighbouring countries along the international border.
Ukraine wants to expand the use of Ukrainian drones and missiles, and lift restrictions on using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes against military infrastructure inside Russia.
Ukraine also seeks greater access to a broader range of intelligence from allies and real-time satellite data. This section of the plan has confidential elements accessible only to allies with the “relevant assistance potential,” Mr Zelensky said.
He said Ukraine has been providing its partners “with a clear justification of what its goals are, how they intend to achieve them, and how much this will reduce Russia’s ability to continue the war.”
How Zelensky's victory plan imagines Ukraine rebuilding after war
The fifth section of Volodymyr Zelensky’s victory plan is geared toward the post-war period.
While presenting his plan to the Ukrainian parliament, Mr Zelensky said Kyiv will have a big army of experienced military personnel after the war.
“These are our soldiers – warriors who will possess real experience in modern warfare, successful use of Western weaponry, and extensive interaction with Nato forces,” he said.
“This Ukrainian experience should be used to strengthen the alliance’s defence and ensure security in Europe. It’s a worthy mission for our heroes.”
He also mentioned that, with partners’ approval, Ukrainian units could replace certain US military contingents stationed in Europe.
Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’ is pushing NATO and Russia towards direct conflict, Russia says
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan” is making a direct conflict between NATO and Russia more likely, the Russian foreign ministry has said.
The plan would be a disaster for the Ukrainian people, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, after Zelensky presented the five-point plan to the Ukrainian parliament.
Zelensky called on western allies to take urgent and significant steps in bolstering support for Ukraine, claiming the war could be over next year if his plan is followed.
The Kremlin accused Kyiv of needing to “sober up” in response, adding that it was too early to comment on the details of the plan.
Australia to send nearly 50 M1A1 Abram tanks to Ukraine
Australia is sending dozens of soon-to-be-replaced Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a new military support package worth $245m, officials said.
“The [Anthony] Albanese Government underlined its steadfast support for Ukraine announcing the gifting of 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This will bolster the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” according to a statement issued by the Australian government’s defence department.
“These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine’s armoured brigades — Australia has been steadfast in our support for Ukraine,” Australian defence minister Pat Conroy said.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion,” the minister said.
Zelensky to attend Nato defence ministers meeting today
Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a Nato defence ministers’ meeting today, according to the bloc’s revised agenda.
The Ukrainian president unveiled his “victory plan” yesterday, calling on allies to take urgent steps to bolster Kyiv at a precarious moment in a bid to end the war with Russia next year.
Earlier yesterday, Nato chief Mark Rutte told reporters he was aware of the details of Mr Zelensky’s plan and that he was in touch with the alliance’s member countries on the next steps.
“The victory plan, of course, we are very much debating with them and using every opportunity to take that one step-by-step further,” Mr Rutte said.
Report: The numbers behind North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal as Zelensky accuses it of sending troops to Ukraine
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea of sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
It has now emerged that North Korea has amassed enough weapons-grade nuclear material to more than double its existing stockpile of atomic weapons, according to a new analysis by a UK-based think tank.
Kim Jong-un is already believed to have between 80 and 90 nuclear warheads at his disposal, and likely has enough enriched plutonium and uranium – known as fissile material – to build in this tally significantly, according to a new report by the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi).
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