Germany Kiev expects quick answers from the West on "victory plan"

Following the presentation of its "victory plan" in the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine is hoping for quick commitments from the West for the requested military aid. It is not a matter of days, but of hours, said the head of the president's office, Andriy Yermak, on Ukrainian television. "Our partners understand the logic of the plan," he said. Very concrete steps by Western partners are needed to help Ukraine. The country is under severe pressure due to the Russian advance.

The details of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "victory plan" have not yet been made public. The head of state discussed it behind closed doors with heads of state and government during his visits to Paris, Rome and London. In Berlin, he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday.

However, it is known that Ukraine is demanding that the West release long-range weapons for strikes against military targets far into the Russian hinterland. The Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly stated that the aim must be to destroy Moscow militarily so that it can never attack another country again. Russia is a nuclear power. Kiev is also calling for Ukraine to be invited to join Nato.

Kiev praises momentum in drone strikes against Russia

There has been a lot of attention for the plan, said Jermak. Now very concrete commitments are needed from the West. Zelenskyi had brought new defense packages with him from his trip, including pledges for the delivery of air defense systems, investments for Ukraine's own production of drones and other weapons.

Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Olexander Syrskyj, praised the dynamic use of drones against military targets on Russian territory on social networks. Ukraine had recently hit ammunition and fuel depots, triggering huge explosions and disrupting supplies. Ukrainian media reported that this was a model for the country's potentially much greater striking power with the use of long-range weapons against military targets far into the Russian hinterland.

SDA