Kyiv, 24 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes outgoing US President Joe Biden can still make important decisions before leaving office in January that would strengthen Ukraine.

Zelensky told Ukrainian media on Saturday before leaving Kyiv for meetings in the United States, that he wants to present what he calls his "victory plan" first to Biden and then to the rest of the world. He said he is seeking talks with Russia as part of this plan but gave no details.

The Ukrainian leader also repeated his calls for the United States to allow Ukraine to fire long-range weapons deep into Russia's hinterland.

"We need long-range weapons," Zelensky said.

It is unclear how and under what circumstances officials for Ukraine and Russia would meet. Russia's peace demands have been for Ukraine to give up part of its territory, which Kiev says is a non-starter. For his part, Zelensky once again made it clear that he believes Moscow is not interested in peace talks and wants to continue the war.

Russia was not invited to the first summit in Switzerland in June. Moscow has repeatedly criticized Zelensky for banning talks with Russia by decree, saying this must be lifted. So far, there have only been isolated contacts through mediators, such as in cases of prisoner exchanges.

"The victory plan provides for quick and concrete steps by our strategic partners - in the period from today until the end of December," Zelensky told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, without elaborating.

Ukraine's partners are key to the plan, he said, adding that the roadmap should build a bridge to a second peace summit, in which Russia should also participate.