Zelenskiy Says ‘Victory Plan’ Could Push Russia to End War Diplomatically

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, September 6, 2024. (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, September 6, 2024. (Reuters)
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Zelenskiy Says ‘Victory Plan’ Could Push Russia to End War Diplomatically

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, September 6, 2024. (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, September 6, 2024. (Reuters)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday a "victory plan" he wants to present to US President Joe Biden this month would strengthen Kyiv and have a "psychological" impact that could push Russia to end its war diplomatically.

Speaking at Kyiv's annual Crimean Platform event, Zelenskiy said it was important that Ukraine presented the plan to its allies before a second international summit on peace that he wants to hold later this year.

"If partners support it (the plan), it will make it easier for Ukraine to force Russia to end the war," he said.

"What is this plan for? It is a serious strengthening of Ukraine and, in my opinion, it will have both psychological and political... influence on Russia's decision to end this war."

Zelenskiy first spoke of the plan last month, saying he wanted to discuss it with Biden and his two potential successors after the US presidential election in November.

Zelenskiy is expected to travel to the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

It comes at a critical juncture in the war, with Russian troops continuing to inch forward in eastern Ukraine despite Kyiv's forces launching a surprise incursion last month into Russia's Kursk region.

Ukraine has been pushing for a follow-up summit to advance its vision of peace. The first summit, held in Switzerland in June, pointedly excluded Russia, while attracting scores of delegations.

Kyiv has said it supports Russia attending the follow-up one as many countries in the Global South would like to see both sides in the war attend. Moscow has said it won't negotiate with Kyiv as long as Ukrainian forces are on its territory.



UN Names Former British Diplomat Tom Fletcher to Lead Aid Efforts

Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.
Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.
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UN Names Former British Diplomat Tom Fletcher to Lead Aid Efforts

Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.
Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday appointed former British diplomat Tom Fletcher as the new aid chief for the world body amid worsening humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip, Sudan and elsewhere, largely driven by conflict.

Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.

Fletcher - who is currently the principal of Hertford College, Oxford - was the British ambassador to Lebanon from 2011-2015 and served as the foreign and development policy adviser to three British prime ministers between 2007-2011, the UN said in a statement.

He "has strong experience of leading and transforming organizations and bringing an understanding of diplomacy at the highest levels," the UN said.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said he did not know when Fletcher would take up the role.

The announcement comes as UN efforts to tackle humanitarian needs around the world are significantly underfunded.

The UN has appealed for $49 billion in 2024 to help 187.6 million of the people in need across 73 countries. But the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which Fletcher will lead, said on Wednesday that so far it has only received $16.21 billion.