Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present his "victory plan" for Ukraine to NATO defense ministers during a key meeting in Brussels. The talks come as the shadow of the upcoming US elections looms large, adding a layer of uncertainty to the Western support Ukraine seeks.

Zelensky, emphasizing the need for increased Western backing, is scheduled to participate in the NATO discussions after previously sharing his proposal at an EU leaders' summit. A joint press conference between Zelensky and NATO chief Mark Rutte is planned to conclude the first day of the two-day NATO meeting, which includes representatives from all 32 member states.

Although NATO leaders have expressed solidarity with Ukraine, Rutte clarified that the alliance is not fully endorsing Zelensky's entire plan. Central to Zelensky's proposal is a call for an immediate invitation to join NATO, a move that is seen as unlikely at this time.

NATO has already acknowledged Ukraine's future membership, but countries like the United States and Germany remain opposed to an immediate entry, fearing it could escalate the conflict with Russia, a nuclear-armed state. US Ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, reiterated that the alliance is not yet ready to issue a formal invitation to Ukraine in the near term.

The US position on Ukraine's NATO membership is expected to remain unchanged regardless of the outcome of the November 5 presidential election. However, there are concerns that a second term for Donald Trump could impact the support Ukraine receives from the US, NATO's most powerful member.

Diplomats have noted that the NATO talks are happening during a period of "waiting," as the results of the US election could have a significant influence on future decisions.

Rutte reaffirmed NATO's commitment to Ukraine but stressed that the path to membership remains uncertain. However, he emphasized the urgency of continued support as Ukraine faces mounting losses on the battlefield, particularly in the eastern Donbas region.

Zelensky's plan also rejects any territorial concessions and calls for Western allies to remove restrictions on the use of donated long-range weapons against Russian military sites. Additionally, Zelensky has proposed a "non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" to be deployed in Ukraine, aimed at preventing future Russian aggression. While these ideas have been shared with key NATO members, they have yet to receive public backing.

For now, NATO's focus remains on ensuring that military aid continues to flow into Ukraine, with Rutte highlighting the importance of supporting Zelensky in any potential future negotiations with Russia. The aim is for Ukraine to be in a position of strength should talks occur.

Some NATO officials believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already suffered significant setbacks in his invasion of Ukraine, making a negotiated resolution more plausible. However, others within the alliance argue that anything short of an outright Ukrainian victory could embolden Russia to pursue further aggression.

In the midst of these discussions, Ukraine continues to call for more air defense systems as Russian forces intensify their attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. No new announcements on air defense were expected during the NATO meetings, leaving some to wonder when further support might arrive.

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