Zelensky presents 'victory plan' to Ukrainian parliament

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented MPs with a long-awaited "victory plan" that aims to strengthen his country's position enough to end the war with Russia.

Zelensky told parliament in Kyiv the plan could finish the war - which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 - next year.

Key elements include a formal invitation to join Nato, the lifting by allies of bans on long-range strikes with Western-supplied weapons deep into Russia, a refusal to trade Ukraine’s territories and sovereignty, and the continuation of the incursion into Russia's western Kursk region.

The Kremlin dismissed the plan with a spokesman saying Kyiv needed to "sober up".

Addressing MPs on Wednesday, Zelensky also criticised China, Iran and North Korea for their backing of Russia, and described them as a "coalition of criminals".

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The plan outlined by Zelensky consists of five key points:

Inviting Ukraine to join the Nato military alliance

The strengthening of Ukrainian defence against Russian forces, including getting permission from allies to use their long-range weapons on Russian territory, and the continuation of Ukraine's military operations on Russian territory to avoid creation of the "buffer zones" in Ukraine

Containment of Russia via a non-nuclear strategic deterrent package deployed on Ukrainian soil

Joint protection by the US and the EU of Ukraine's critical natural resources and joint use of their economic potential

For the post-war period only: replacing some US troops stationed across Europe with Ukrainian soldiers

Three "addendums" remain secret and will only be shared with Ukraine's partners, Zelensky said.

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On Wednesday evening, Zelensky spoke to Biden to brief him about his "victory plan".

He also thanked America for a new $425m (£327m) defence assistance package for Ukraine, which included air defence systems and long-range weapons.

The White House said the package comprised "a range of additional capabilities", including air defence and artillery systems, as well as ammunition and hundreds of armoured vehicles.

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He told BBC Newshour that "no matter who becomes the next American president, he or she will have to follow American interests and it is in the best American interest to support Ukraine".

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