Ukraine signaled its willingness to examine proposals from China, India, and South Africa that aim to end the fighting on Ukrainian soil. The statement came as President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke during a nationwide telethon, stressing Kyiv’s readiness to listen to ideas from other capitals and to assess how they might fit into a path toward peace. He noted that any credible initiative must reflect Ukraine’s sovereignty and security needs while considering the broader political dynamics in the region. Observers in Kyiv and Western capitals saw this as a signal that Kyiv wants to keep diplomatic channels open with a wide range of partners, including influential non-Western voices, in search of a viable settlement. Reuters reported the remarks after the telethon broadcast.
Zelensky added that the best chance to discuss these ideas would come at the November gathering of the Group of Twenty, where representatives from China, India, and South Africa will be present alongside peers from other economies. He suggested the G20 setting could serve as a proving ground for proposals and a gauge for whether a broader coalition could back a shared framework. In his remarks aired to the nation, he said any meaningful discussion would require participants to examine ideas in good faith and to weigh the potential consequences for regional security and Western support for Kyiv. Reuters cited these comments.
Zelensky also spoke about the possibility of weaving external peace ideas into his own strategy. He said that proposals from outside Kyiv would be welcome if they could win global consensus around a single plan supported by major powers. The Ukrainian leader stressed that openness to diverse approaches did not abandon Kyiv’s priorities and that any settlement must end Russia’s aggression and restore Ukraine’s full independence. Reuters noted these remarks.
On October 16, Zelensky appeared before the Verkhovna Rada for the first time since presenting his five-point ‘victory plan.’ The appearance underscored Kyiv’s intent to anchor the plan in the parliament and to frame it as guidance for security policy and international diplomacy. The discussion in the chamber touched on expectations from NATO allies, Western defense supplies, and the potential role of new sanctions and civilian-military cooperation that could accompany deeper integration with Western institutions.
The first point envisions inviting Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Alliance by the end of hostilities, signaling a clear path toward membership rather than a mere security partnership. Proponents argue that formal alignment with NATO would deter further aggression and reassure partners about Kyiv’s longer-term security commitments. Critics warn that moving quickly on membership could complicate Moscow’s calculus and risk an escalation in the region. Western capitals in Canada and the United States are watching closely how Kyiv’s diplomacy aligns with ongoing defense support and sanctions policies.
The second and third points involve easing restrictions on the use of Western weapons to strike deep into Russian territory and building in Ukraine a deterrent package that avoids nuclear elements. These items signal Kyiv’s aim to expand its battlefield options while keeping a non-nuclear posture. The plan describes a deterrent framework designed to raise costs and complicate Moscow’s planning, while continuing Western support in logistics, intelligence, and training.
While the fourth article mentions the need to increase sanctions pressure on Moscow, the fifth article calls for Ukrainian soldiers to participate in the activities of a NATO-led unit in Europe. Kyiv frames this as a way to improve interoperability and security guarantees, while critics worry about further escalation. The aim, as stated in the plan, is to strengthen deterrence and maintain credible assurances to Kyiv’s partners.
In his speech, Zelensky emphasized that the second, third, and fourth items carried secret addenda. He did not disclose their contents, but indicated they would shape how those provisions are implemented and monitored.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the issue by questioning the real goals behind Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’ and presenting a contrasting narrative about Western influence and the prospects for Ukraine’s security arrangements.