The Ukrainian army, struggling with the need to find volunteers, has proposed mobilizing “450,000 to 500,000 people” to continue fighting the Russian invasion. Ukraine’s president said Tuesday, but admitted he has not yet made a decision.
The military command “proposed the mobilization of 450,000 to 500,000 people,” Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference in Kiev, adding that he needed “more arguments to support this idea” because it involved a “very important number” went.
At the same press conference, Zelensky praised “a huge victory” for the Ukrainian army over Russia in the Black Sea, which made it possible to establish a “sea corridor” for the export of goods since August.
“This is integrated into our operations in the south”the Ukrainian leader continued, also recalling the Russian bombing and the supposed maritime superiority of the Russian fleet.
In this context, he also admitted that it is impossible to say when the war with Russia will end and when the two years of the invasion, which began on February 24, 2022, will approach.
“I don’t think anyone knows the answer. Even respected people, our commanders or Western partners, say the war will last for years, they don’t know”he declared.
Zelensky also announced that Ukraine will receive “several” new Patriot air defense systems.
“I won’t give the number, but several Patriot systems will be sent to Ukraine to protect our country during the winter.”he indicated, at a time when Kiev is concerned about a reduction in Western military aid.
Referring to the internal situation in the United States, so far Kiev’s main ally, Zelensky stated that he believes that the United States “will never betray Ukraine”, but admitted that a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House (US Presidency), less than a year before the 2024 US presidential election, could have “a strong impact” on the development of the conflict.
“If the next president’s policy, whatever it may be, is different towards Ukraine, colder or more economical, then I think these signals will have a very strong impact on the course of the war.”he declared, after admitting that Trump will “undoubtedly pursue a different policy.”
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory has plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Ukraine’s Western allies have supplied weapons to Kiev and approved successive sanctions packages against Russian interests to try to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war effort.
Source: DN
