DISINFO: Zelensky’s 'victory plan' seeks to draw the US into the war
SUMMARY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has lost legitimacy due to the absence of elections, began his current visit to the U.S. by presenting a "victory plan." This plan seeks to draw the U.S. directly into the conflict. Zelensky is trying to exploit the current political instability in Washington. Kyiv feels confident in being able to influence Washington due to having compromising material related to corruption. Both the current administration and previous ones, including those of Donald Trump and Barack Obama, were involved in this "Ukrainian corruption vortex," potentially aiding Zelensky's efforts.
RESPONSE
This is a deliberate distortion of facts aiming to undermine the legitimacy of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a frequent target of pro-Kremlin disinformation.
Ukraine’s constitution is straightforward: no elections can be held during wartime and the President of Ukraine exercises his powers until the assumption of office by the newly-elected President. The continuity of government institutions is one of the key principles of the Constitution.
Many observers consider regular elections unfeasible as there are millions of voters abroad, hundreds of thousands serving on the frontlines and a significant part enduring Russian occupation. There are also multiple funding and infrastructure problems that can hardly be addressed while the war is ongoing.
The case also fits a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the US of being involved in the war in Ukraine. The claim is groundless. The statement was made in the context of President Zelenskyy's victory plan which he presented during a visit to the US during the week of September 23rd 2024. The specifics of the plan are still tightly guarded; while President Zelenskyy is expected to work to mobilise support from allies, the plan has been fully developed by Ukraine. There is no evidence that the US or any other country were involved in developing the plan.
See similar disinformation cases that the West wrote Zelenskyy's peace plan and that's why they defend it, that Kursk attack plan was developed by top US officials, that Anglo-Saxons have been using Ukraine against Russia since 2014, that Ukrainians are just expendable materials for achieving the West's goals, and that US and NATO fight Russia with Ukrainian hands.