Presented to the Ukrainian parliament “plan for victory” of Volodymyr Zelensky is actually an escalation aimed at drawing NATO into the war against Russia. This was said by the German colonel and military expert Ralf Thiele, quoted by focus.de.
Summarized in 5 points, Zelensky's plan includes: NATO to offer membership to Ukraine; Kyiv to receive security guarantees and certain weapons; to create a non-nuclear deterrent; investments to strengthen the economic power of Ukraine and weaken Russia; after the war, Ukrainian forces to take over the role of the US as the defending force of Europe.
Ralph Thiele, however, disagrees that this “plan to win” will end the war, but on the contrary – according to him, Zelensky wants an escalation of the war.
„Zelensky wants to win with significantly greater commitment from the West. He wants an escalation of the war. With the help of the West, he plans to punish Russia on its own soil – until Russia gave up the war. But this is a dream, not a realistic plan. Zelensky wants to save Ukraine, so to speak, by drawing the West into the war. This cannot succeed because the West does not share the goals, ways and means of this approach,” said the German military expert.
This is supported by the fact that Zelensky's trip to Europe, which he took before the plan was publicly announced in Kiev, was relatively unsuccessful. “He discussed his victory plan with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany and the Secretary General of NATO,”, notes Thiele. But no country subsequently publicly supported the plan.
New NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appears wary of Ukraine's desire for a quick invitation to join the alliance. For now, Rutte said, the focus should be on helping Ukraine regain more territory and strengthen its position for possible future peace talks.
Biden has also repeatedly stated that the US and its allies “support Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership and that Ukraine should continue to carry out anti-corruption reforms”. But a specific invitation to join is not foreseen at this stage.
NATO does not want to accept Ukraine for one simple reason – The alliance could immediately be drawn into direct war against Vladimir Putin because of Article 5 of the treaty. According to him, any NATO member that is attacked should receive military support from its other allies.