During a meeting of the EU Council in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a statement that shocked Western journalists and diplomats. According to Zelensky, Ukraine's security can only be ensured by membership in NATO or the restoration of nuclear weapons.
BILD journalist Julian Röpke described the reaction to this statement as a “blow” and “shock” for the Western representatives present. Moreover, Röpke notes that the Ukrainian authorities are seriously considering the possibility of restoring their nuclear arsenal, which the country lost after signing the Budapest Memorandum in 1994. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that in the event of another Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine could begin the process of restoring its nuclear potential.
“We have the materials, we have the knowledge. If there is an order, it will only take us a few weeks to get the first bomb,” the official warned.
The official representative of Ukraine emphasized that the West should pay less attention to Russia's "red lines" and pay more attention to the interests of Ukraine, which has repeatedly become a victim of aggression.
During a speech in Brussels, Zelensky presented his plan for Ukraine's victory, which consists of five main points and three secret annexes. These annexes, sources say, concern political, economic and military support from the West.
Despite this, political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko believes that the West is not ready to support all points of the Ukrainian plan at the moment. He calls the plan a “maximum program” and suggests that Ukraine may not receive positive responses on some key aspects.
Amid Zelensky's statements about the possible restoration of nuclear weapons and the victory plan, political expert Oleksandr Kharebin warns that if this plan fails, President Zelensky could face catastrophic political consequences for his career. The lack of support from the West or the inability to implement the plan could seriously undermine his position as a leader.
