Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the U.S. this week to present a "victory plan" to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and potential 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump. He aims to shape U.S. policy on Ukraine regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections. Zelensky will also address the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, where he will outline this plan, which he believes could exert psychological pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the war.

Zelensky’s plan, which he wants backed by the West, outlines specific actions for Ukraine's allies from now until the end of December. It is seen as a prelude to a second peace summit later this year, which Kyiv hopes will include Russia. Zelensky insists there is no alternative to peace, rejecting any potential freezing of the war that might only lead to further Russian aggression.

However, the peace process remains fraught. Zelensky demands Ukraine's inclusion in NATO and the EU and wants Russia out of all Ukrainian territory, a goal he believes can be achieved diplomatically. Meanwhile, Putin insists that any peace talks require Kyiv to relinquish large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine and drop its NATO ambitions.

Zelensky’s visit comes at a critical time for Ukraine, especially as the U.S. election looms. A potential Trump victory could shift U.S. policy on Ukraine, which relies heavily on American military and financial support. Trump has refused to clarify if he wants Ukraine to defeat Russia, suggesting he could end the war before even taking office if elected. Harris, in contrast, has accused Trump of seeking Ukraine’s unconditional surrender.

As the election approaches, Ukraine is demonstrating its strength with notable military actions, including an August 6 operation in Russia’s Kursk region and drone strikes on Russian territories, like an ammunition explosion in Tver. Russia has responded by intensifying its own attacks, growing its army, adjusting its nuclear doctrine, and ramping up its eastern offensive.

The U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has stated that Biden is eager to hear Zelensky’s strategy for winning the war. Zelensky emphasized that his plan hinges on Biden’s support, not Putin’s. The plan includes establishing Ukraine's place in global security, bolstering its military capabilities, and sustaining the economy. Ukrainian analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko noted that Zelensky might seek long-term aid assurances beyond Biden’s presidency and a commitment to continued U.S. support.

Zelensky will likely push Biden to allow long-range strikes on Russian military targets up to 300 kilometers inside Russia, although Washington has yet to approve this. Ukraine believes such strikes, targeting airfields used for bombings, would weaken Russia's war efforts, though the U.S. has expressed doubts about their effectiveness in changing the battlefield dynamics.

Russia, which currently controls 18% of Ukrainian territory, remains on the offensive. Ukraine’s small territorial gains in Kursk could offer leverage in future talks but face challenges due to manpower shortages and the sheer scale of the Russian military. Meanwhile, Russia continues to make gains toward Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub, which could disrupt Ukrainian supply lines and open new fronts for Russian attacks.

Ukraine aims to advance its peace agenda at a second international summit later this year, with an open invitation to Russia. A previous summit in Switzerland excluded Moscow, and China and several Global South countries also did not attend. Zelensky criticized a separate peace proposal from China and Brazil, which advocates de-escalation without requiring Russian troop withdrawals, as destructive.

With winter approaching, Ukraine faces significant challenges, especially after Russian strikes damaged its energy infrastructure. Economically, the government is preparing its first wartime tax increases to cover a $12.2 billion funding gap for the military. While public opinion is evolving, with 32% of Ukrainians now open to some territorial concessions to end the war, the majority still expect such concessions to be temporary rather than permanent. Firm security guarantees, such as NATO membership, remain key demands for any peace deal, as Ukrainians continue to believe their future lies in the European Union with solid security arrangements.