Zelensky announces major Ukraine defense plan update

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Kyiv must update its defense plan following a meeting with his defense minister and spy chief amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The Ukrainian president did not reveal much detail about an updated plan, although he did say there needed to be more investment for drones for Kyiv’s military brigades.  

Why It Matters 

Even though he revealed little, Zelensky’s comments could show how he wants to emphasize that it is business as usual in fighting Russia, despite growing pressure due to a corruption scandal involving the country’s energy sector in which Andrii Yermak, the former Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, resigned from his post. 

It also suggests that Zelensky might be looking at a new approach in the fight against Russian aggression both on the battlefield and in Moscow’s targeting of civilian and energy infrastructure. 

What To Know 

On Saturday, Zelensky posted on Facebook that he had met with his defense minister Denys Shmyhal and Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (DIU). 

Next to an image of the meeting with Shmyhal, Zelensky wrote that the course of combat in the war meant that there needed to be a change to Ukraine’s defense plan. As such, Shmyhal would be tasked with updating it and proposing the changes to put before the government. No timeline was given. 

Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal delivered a report. Several key points. It is time to update the fundamental defense documents of Ukraine, including the national defense plan,” Zelensky wrote on Saturday. “The course of hostilities has shown what must become the renewed priorities. We agreed that Denys will prepare detailed proposals for these changes and present them to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for approval.”

Shmyhal also told the Ukrainian president about his trips to the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions and on the protective measures being implemented.

“Separately, we discussed the protection of critical infrastructure and the allocation of the relevant resources,” Zelensky wrote. “It is important that the Government and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine are fully ensuring the necessary funding–in particular for the purchase of drones for combat brigades–and that yesterday another monthly subvention tranche for combat brigades was financed in the amount of 4.3 billion hryvnias. An additional 8 billion hryvnias was also allocated for the financing of the Drone Line.”

The president also held a separate meeting with Budanov ahead of negotiations with the U.S. to secure a peace deal with Moscow where Zelensky said they discussed “the security situation, the political situation around Ukraine, and the current prospects.”

“We identified several key points that are important in the negotiation process,” he added.

What People Are Saying 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Facebook on Saturday: “Tonight– US time–the Ukrainian delegation should already be in the United States of America, and the dialogue will continue on the basis of points from Geneva. Diplomacy remains active. The American side is constructive, and it is quite possible to finalize the steps in the coming days to determine how to end the war with dignity. The Ukrainian delegation has the necessary directives, and I expect the guys to work according to clear Ukrainian priorities.

What Happens Next? 

Shmyhal will prepare proposals and submit them to Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers for approval although no timeframe has yet been given. 

Meanwhile, Budanov will meet senior U.S. officials in the coming days as part of a delegation led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.