Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the military has requested another 400,000-500,000 people to be mobilized for service in the army, but clarified that a final decision has not yet been made, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
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The Ukrainian leader said at his annual press conference in Kiev today that representatives of the military high command and the government are expected to discuss the “quite sensitive issue of mobilization” and then it will be considered by parliament.
Zelensky stated that carrying out a mobilization of such a scale would require additional funding.
“Their point of view (of the military leadership of Ukraine, ed.), they proposed to mobilize another 400,000-500,000 people. This is a serious number,” the president pointed out.
“I said I would need further arguments to support this move. Because, firstly, it is about people and because, secondly, it is about justice, it is a matter of defense capability and a matter of finances Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president said the proposed additional mobilization would require 500 billion hryvnias ($13.5 billion).
The Chief of the Ukrainian General Staff: The situation at the front is not at a stalemate
At his press conference, Zelensky refuted claims that there was friction between him and the Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Zaluzhny. The Ukrainian president said he maintains a working relationship with Zaluzhny.
Zelensky made this statement after weeks of speculation about tensions between the two men, Reuters notes.
“I have a working relationship with Zaluzhny. He is responsible for the outcome on the battlefield, together with the general staff. There are many questions there. The offensive is a complex issue. Something is done, something is not done, something is happening, something is missing or will not happen at all be done. I think we can afford to live in Ukraine today with a result every day. Each of us must be ready to contribute to this result. And this is not self-sacrifice. Being commander-in-chief is an honor and being president is an honor, a huge honor. We need strong actions and results. That’s it,” Zelensky was quoted as saying by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.
Zelensky also said that Ukraine will receive several new Patriot air defense systems this winter. The Ukrainian leader clarified that he will not announce the number of these systems until they are delivered to Ukraine.
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2023-12-19 19:15:54
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