France Signals Support for Non-Nuclear Deterrence in Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan, highlighting the importance of considering the deployment of non-nuclear deterrent forces in Ukraine.

According to TF1, Lecornu stated, "It is time to address the issue of conventional deterrence, which will help prevent further Russian aggression."

He believes this step is part of a "political path" that will require sustained support for Ukraine. "Zelenskyy's victory plan marks the beginning of the political responsibility we must undertake in supporting Ukraine in the long term," he added.

"This issue deserves thorough examination," he remarked, noting that Kyiv has recently shown a "shift towards military-political rhetoric."

"The difficulty of the moment we are in is that we have to assume the balance of power." Lecornu concluded.

During the presentation of Ukraine's Victory Plan, Zelenskyy highlighted that the third point of the plan focuses on "non-nuclear deterrence" of Russia. Ukraine's proposal includes placing the deterrence package on its territory to pressure Russia into participating in peace talks or to allow for the destruction of its military facilities.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy presented his Victory Plan at the Verkhovna Rada  on October 16, stressing the end of the war depends on Ukraine’s partners and not on Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin.