US Says Blinken Briefed on Ukraine Plan to Urge Russia to End the War, Reports Reuters

By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON – During his recent visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was briefed on aspects of a Ukrainian strategy aimed at encouraging Russia to conclude the ongoing war, as stated by U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy introduced his “victory plan” last month, indicating his intention to discuss it with U.S. President Joe Biden. He is anticipated to present this plan during the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York next week, which he hopes to attend.

Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield confirmed that the U.S. had reviewed the plan, remarking, “We think it lays out a strategy and a plan that can work.”

In a regular press briefing, Miller echoed the ambassador’s positive assessment but refrained from providing further details at this time. “I think I ought to let President Zelensky, whose plan ultimately this is, speak to the details of it,” he said.

Zelenskiy also mentioned in late August that he would discuss the plan with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and likely with Republican nominee Donald Trump, who are both contesting in the U.S. presidential election on November 5.

The developments come at a crucial time in the conflict, as Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, despite Ukrainian troops executing a surprise operation last month into Russia’s Kursk region.

Ukraine is advocating for a follow-up summit to further its peace initiative. The first summit, which took place in Switzerland in June, notably excluded Russia yet attracted numerous delegations.