President Volodymyr Zelensky today unveiled his long-awaited “victory plan” in the Ukrainian parliament, urging Ukrainians to remain united in uncertain times ahead of the November 5 presidential election in his ally the United States.

As Russian troops advance into the east of the country and a winter of electricity shortages approaches, he told deputies that the plan includes five main points that depend on Kiev’s allies, including an unconditional invitation to Ukraine to join NATO and special weapons support.

“Together with our partners, we need to change the circumstances so that the war ends. Regardless of what Putin wants. We all have to change the circumstances so that Russia is forced into peace,” he told MPs and senior officials.

His third point stresses the need for Ukraine to acquire a nuclear deterrent capability which, he said, would (have to be) sufficient to be able to destroy Russian military power. He did not elaborate, but said there was an additional secret annex that he could not disclose.

The plan, he said, also envisages a Western role in defending Ukraine’s natural mineral resources from Russian attacks and promises of post-war reconstruction.

The plan also includes a Western role in defending Ukraine’s natural mineral resources from Russian attacks and promises of post-war reconstruction.

His speech was attended by the leadership of the military, intelligence and civilian officials as well as parliamentarians, some of whom stood up at times to applaud.

The Kremlin said it was too early to comment in detail on Zelensky’s plan, but Kiev must “come to its senses” and realise the futility of its policies.

After 2.5 years of war, Zelensky sought in his speech to convince exhausted public opinion in Ukraine that the war could end soon and to stress how important it is for Ukrainians to remain united as the war’s challenges pile up.

“We have achieved and are achieving results in the battles thanks to our unity. So please don’t lose unity,” he said.

Zelenski also said he would travel to Brussels for the European Union leaders’ summit tomorrow, Thursday, to present his plan.