Ukrainian army plans to mobilize 450,000 soldiers
After the bumpy counter-offensive in the summer, the Ukrainian military wants to mobilize hundreds of thousands of soldiers. However, President Zelensky is not yet convinced by the idea. Instead, the head of state announces new air defense systems from the USA.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the mobilization of new soldiers is an expensive and politically sensitive issue for Ukraine. "The question of mobilization is a very sensitive one," said Selenskyj at a press conference in Kiev at the end of the year. The army had requested 450,000 new soldiers. Additional mobilization on this scale would require around 500 billion hryvnia (12.2 billion euros). Parliament will then deal with this. However, a final decision has not yet been made. He needs "more arguments to support this idea", Selensky continued.
For Selenskyj, it is also important to know which of the soldiers who have been fighting so far will be entitled to rest and home leave. A complex plan is being drawn up for this rotation. Russia had not achieved any of its war aims in Ukraine by 2023, said Selensky. Moscow had not been able to completely conquer the Ukrainian region of Donetsk. Instead, Ukraine had largely regained control of the western Black Sea.
The head of state also announced that Ukraine would receive more Patriot air defense systems. "Several new Patriot systems will be in Ukraine to protect our country in winter," said Selensky. Selenskyj said that he had promised not to reveal the number. However, he said that the arms deliveries were a "very important result" of his recent trips abroad.
Zelensky: "The USA will not betray us"
Zelensky recently traveled to several Western countries, including the USA, to campaign for further military and political support for Ukraine. Kiev is currently demanding additional arms supplies from its Western allies, who are, however, showing increasing reluctance. According to the US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine is already being forced to ration ammunition.
Selensky is confident that both the USA and the EU will continue to support his country, which is under attack from Russia, in the future. "I am convinced that the USA will not betray us," he said. The head of state was also optimistic with regard to a 50 billion euro EU financial package currently blocked by Hungary: "We will find a way to get this 50 billion."
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian war of aggression for almost 22 months and is largely dependent on military and financial aid from Western partners. The USA is considered the most important ally.
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- Despite the Ukrainian army's plan to mobilize 450,000 soldiers after the summer's counter-offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses his reservations due to the high cost and political sensitivity of the issue.
- Tensions continue between Ukraine and Russia, with the latter failing to achieve any of its war aims in Ukraine by 2023. Despite this, Ukraine has managed to regain control of its western Black Sea region.
- Following his recent trips to Western countries, including the USA, President Zelensky is confident that both the USA and EU will continue to support Ukraine, currently under attack from Russia, in the future.
Source: www.ntv.de
