Editor's note: This article is a shortened on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Nov. 24-Nov. 30. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday. It is Thanksgiving next week. Expect significant disruptions
Key developments on Oct. 30: * North Korean soldiers 50 km from Ukraine's border, including special forces, FT reports * Ukraine should strike back if North Korean troops cross into its territory, Biden says * No confidentiality between partners — Zelensky calls out White House over Tomahawk missiles leak * Kremlin denies Russia-Ukraine talks on
"It was confidential information between Ukraine and the White House. How to understand these messages?" President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing with journalists from Nordic countries.
Key developments on Oct. 29: * Russia claims capture of Selydove, Kyiv hasn't confirmed * Small number of North Korean troops already in Ukraine, CNN reports * Zelensky asked US for Tomahawk missiles in secret clause of victory plan, NYT reports * South Korean delegation to visit Ukraine to share information on North Korean
According to the officials, Ukraine did not manage to convince Western diplomats why it needed Tomahawks. The number of Ukraine’s targets in Russia also allegedly far exceeds the stockpiles the U.S. could hand over without jeopardizing its interests in the Middle East and Asia.
Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of the parliament's foreign affairs policy, said that upon taking office, Trump would soon have to "face reality" and any such plan would fail in light of political realities.
Ukraine's economy, countering Russian disinformation, social protection, and "the issue of justice" need to be strengthened, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The document will address Ukraine's military, political, economic, and other areas, including certain decisions regarding law enforcement, a source close to the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent.
Warsaw is seeking to review the classified additions to Ukraine's victory plan recently presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewsk said in an interview on Oct. 21.
The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur explains the top stories of the week, from the North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia to update on Volodymyr Zelensky’s Victory Plan.
"A Russian victory would consecrate the law of the strongest and precipitate the international order towards chaos," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Kyiv on Oct. 19.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there is a lack of consensus among EU leaders regarding the plan, and it is difficult to tell how realistic it is because "much depends on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election."
"What (Zelensky) outlined yesterday in the Ukrainian parliament is more than terrifying," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote, urging EU leaders to start talks with Moscow "as soon as possible."
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 17 that the victory plan includes placing conventional missile capabilities in Ukraine that would either force Russia to accept negotiations or destroy its military targets.
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on Oct. 17 to present his five-point victory plan to the European Council and meet its president, Charles Michel.
"We are not at the stage where the Alliance is discussing issuing an invitation in the short term," Smith said ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, Voice of America reported.
Key developments on Oct. 16: * US announces $425 million in security aid for Ukraine, Zelensky says package includes long-range weapons * Zelensky unveils Ukraine's victory plan, says it's doable but 'depends on our partners' * Australia to give Ukraine almost 50 US-made Abrams tanks * Ukraine reportedly reclaims territory in north of Kharkiv
Ukrainian lawmakers voiced their first reactions to President Volodymyr Zelensky's presentation of Ukraine's victory plan to parliament on Oct. 16, praising the overall agenda but calling out the supposed lack of practical steps. Some opposition lawmakers criticized it for being too vague and relying too much on international partners while
President Volodymyr Zelensky presented Ukraine's much-debated victory plan at parliament on Oct. 16, though some parts remained classified. The proposal is comprised of five points: an invitation to join NATO, a defense aspect, deterrence of Russian aggression, economic growth and cooperation, and post-war security architecture. The plan involves three secret
U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to meet the leaders of Germany, France, and the U.K. in Berlin later this week after his earlier visit was postponed due to Hurricane Milton, CNN reported on Oct. 16, citing three unnamed Western officials.
Following a conversation with the U.K. counterpart, Tony Radakin, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that they discussed the possibility of hitting Russian military targets "in operational and strategic depth."
European Council President Charles Michel announced on Oct. 15 that he had invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to present his victory plan for defeating Russia at a summit of EU leaders this week.
"I think part will be declassified, and the other part will be present to the leaders of (parliamentary groups)," David Arakhamia, the leader of Zelensky's Servant of the People parliamentary group, said in comments for the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine's victory plan includes a request for greater numbers of ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles and a permission to launch then against military targets in Russia, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in comments published on Oct. 14.
"We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. This is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces."
The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur explains the top stories of the week, from the postponement of the Ramstein summit to the two-month anniversary of Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Kursk Oblast.
President Volodymyr Zelensky will publicly unveil his "victory plan" to Ukrainians in "a matter of days," Presidential Office advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on Oct. 12.
President Volodymyr Zelensky presented Ukraine's victory plan to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy.
Key developments on Oct. 10: * Ukraine confirms strike on Russian airbase in North Caucasus housing Su-34, Su-27 jets * Zelensky presents victory plan to Starmer, meets NATO Secretary General Rutte * Kyiv confirms death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna held in Russian captivity * Oil depot in occupied Crimea's Feodosia burning for 4th
President Volodymyr Zelensky presented Ukraine's victory plan to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the former's visit to London on Oct. 10.
Ukraine is seeking membership in the NATO military alliance as a part of its plan to end Russia’s war, and recent reports suggest a West Germany model is seriously being discussed among Kyiv and its allies. During a September visit to the U.S., Head of the Presidential Office
On Oct. 2, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. had reviewed Ukraine's victory plan and identified "a number of productive steps."
