It was probably the most important speech in the life of Volodymyr Zelensky (44): before the two chambers of the US Congress, with the future of his war-torn country on the cutting edge.
Zelensky needs more guns and more money. With that he completely signs off the war president. As at the press conference with US President Joe Biden (80) in the White House, Selenski was dressed casually. Wearing wide green pants with side pockets and a military green sweater.
A standing ovation and long applause greet the War President. Then Selenski’s words: “We need peace.” He had just spoken to President Biden “about our peace formula and a possible summit”. Selenski gives hope for an end to suffering and destruction.
But Selenski sets conditions. Not only must Ukraine’s territorial integrity be restored. “The terrorists who started this criminal war must be brought to justice.” And: “All losses must be made good.”
Selenski outlines a peace plan
Peace plans were already mentioned at the press conference with Biden. That has never happened since the outbreak of Russian war aggression in Ukraine. Earlier talks were rejected by Moscow and Kiev. Neither Ukraine nor Russia has put itself in a position to vigorously negotiate a peace deal, border demarcations, compensation payments, and so on.
During the surprise lightning visit to the United States, Selenski outlined more specifically how he could envision a peace plan. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Zelensky said he was proposing a global peace summit. He mentioned the term “peace formula”, which he mentioned in a video on Ukraine’s official Instagram channel a few days ago.
In the video, Zelensky emphasizes that Ukraine wants peace above all else. Ukraine offered the world a peace formula. There are no winners in war. There can be no tie. That is why I am announcing the initiative to hold a Global Peace Formula Summit this winter. The summit is intended to unite all the nations of the world around the cause of global peace.”
So far, Selenski hasn’t been more specific. Biden also initially declined to comment on what exactly he was discussing with Zelensky regarding a “peace formula”. And Zelensky links a peace summit to conditions that currently seem illusory. And according to Zelensky, Ukraine will never capitulate.
Biden calls Selenski ‘open to peace’
Speaking to White House media, Biden said he wanted to put Ukraine in a good position for peace talks. Zelensky should be given a free hand in making decisions about holding peace talks with Russia. “Now is the time to empower this president to make decisions about how to end the war,” Biden said. That is why Ukraine deserves unconditional military support.
Biden also called Selenski ready to seek a peace dialogue. “President Zelenskiy,” Biden told his guest, “you have made it very clear that you are ready to accomplish something…let me rephrase. They are open to peace, a just peace.” Zelensky replied with a nod.
A journalist asked Selenski if there could be a just peace. Zelensky replied that Kiev is primarily concerned with the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Reparations from Moscow for the damage caused are also required.
Zelensky: “There is no just peace with Putin”
However, there can certainly be no just peace for families who have lost fathers or sons at the front. And the longer the war lasted, the more vengeance and vengefulness among the population could arise from further losses.
“There is no just peace in a brutal war that has been forced upon us,” Zelensky said. “There can be no just peace with Putin.” The Ukrainian president has made it unmistakably clear that peace talks are unthinkable given the current circumstances.
Biden continues to look ahead. Ukraine “can be successful on the battlefield with our help and the help of our European allies and others,” the US president said. When Zelensky is ready to talk to the Russians, he will be able to negotiate successfully because he won on the battlefield.