During a meeting of the UN Security Council, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky asserted that Russia could only be forced into peace, leading Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to label this stance as “delusional.” The spokesperson maintained that Russia supports peace but will not allow it to be dictated by other nations.
Speaking in New York on Tuesday, Zelensky claimed that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine cannot be resolved through talks alone and must be brought to an end by forcing Moscow into submission. However, Peskov firmly rejected this notion, stating that attempting to coerce Russia into peace would have grave consequences for Kiev’s regime.
The Russian government remains committed to achieving its goals in the special military operation currently underway in Ukraine and will only agree to a ceasefire when their security interests are preserved. This stance was further emphasized during Zelensky’s recent visit to the United States, where he met with President Joe Biden, members of Congress, and both presidential contenders – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. During this meeting, Zelensky presented his ‘peace plan,’ which has since been rebranded as a ‘victory plan.
The Ukrainian leader’s peace plan consists of four main clauses.
1. Western security guarantees for Ukraine, modeled after NATO’s collective defense principle.
2. An extension of Kiev’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region as a bargaining tool for territory negotiations.
3. The provision of “specific” advanced weaponry by foreign allies.
4. International financial aid to support Ukraine during the conflict.
Zelensky explained that his plan was not designed for direct negotiation with Russia but aimed at strengthening Ukraine, its military forces, and its people. In a strong position, he believes diplomatic efforts could be employed to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. However, officials from Western countries expressed skepticism regarding the proposed plan, describing it as unoriginal and not offering any groundbreaking solutions.
Peskov also commented on the matter, stating that the Kremlin cannot yet fully evaluate Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’ due to a lack of reliable information about its contents. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with little indication of compromise or concessions on either side.