As the conflict with Russia approaches its two-year anniversary, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has disclosed that the Ukrainian military is looking to mobilise an additional 500,000 personnel.
He acknowledged that this was a “sensitive” and expensive matter when he stated, during a press conference in Kyiv, that his commanders were looking for “450,000-500,000 individuals”. He hinted that 500,000 soldiers were already on the front when he stated he needed more information before supporting the action.
Following the US and EU’s aid setbacks, he made these remarks.
Earlier this month, a $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine was first blocked by Republicans in the US Congress. This week, officials from the State Department and the White House announced that the US was preparing to send Ukraine one more round of military aid- but that unless Congress took action, it would only be able to send so much assistance after that.
Hungary’s blocking of the EU’s €50 billion ($55 billion) financial aid agreement last week came after the US setback. On the other hand, EU leaders promised that Ukraine would not be abandoned.
Following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine is currently fighting occupying Russian forces while suffering from an ammunition shortage. At the beginning of winter, Kyiv’s counteroffensive came to a standstill, raising concerns that Russia might outgun Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, declared this week that Moscow will carry out its invasion and that he would accomplish all of his objectives.
The head of the Kremlin also announced that 617,000 Russian soldiers were engaged in what Moscow refers to as its “special military operation” at the moment. However, he acknowledged that the military needed to produce more drones because of issues with communication and air defence systems.
