Ukraine’s military wants to mobilize up to 500,000 extra people, President Zelensky has revealed.
At a news conference, he declared his commanders were seeking “450,000-500,000 individuals”, admitting this was a “sensitive” and costly issue.
Zelensky said he needed more details before backing the move – hinting that 500,000 soldiers were already on the front.
His comments come in the wake of aid setbacks from the US and the EU.
Republicans in the US Congress first blocked a $60bn military package for Ukraine earlier this month.
This week, representatives of both the White House and the State Department said the US was planning one more military aid package to Ukraine – but that it had limited ability to send more help after that unless Congress acted.
The US setback was followed by Hungary’s blocking of the EU’s €50bn financial aid deal last week.
EU leaders, however, said Ukraine would not be left without support.
Ukraine is facing an ammunition shortage as it continues to fight occupying Russian forces, following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Kiev’s counter-offensive ground to a halt at the start of winter and there are fears that the Russians could simply outgun Ukraine.
Russia President Vladimir Putin said this week that Moscow would continue its invasion, vowing that all his goals would be achieved.
The Kremlin leader also said that 617,000 Russian soldiers were currently taking part in what Moscow describes as its “special military operation”. But he admitted that the armed forces had problems with air defence systems and communication, and needed to increase the production of drones.
At the press conference, Zelensky ruled out any proposals to mobilize women.
When asked by the BBC’s Jessica Parker about whether Ukraine could be on the cusp of starting to lose the war, Mr Zelensky gave a firm no.
During the briefing, Mr Zelensky also said that:
- Ukraine would be able to produce a million drones in 2024
- He had “working relations” with Ukraine’s top military commander Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, playing down reports of a rift between the pair
- Peace talks with Russia were not currently feasible, stressing that he would seek to restore in full Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders, including Crimea
