Zelensky explains risks of US delaying military aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that delays of assistance to Ukraine from the United States would impact a unified Europe and lead to a series of subsequent problems.
He also revealed the size of the Ukrainian army, calling it a million-strong. According to him, this includes 880,000 troops, Rubryka reports, citing Zelensky's statement in an interview with the German television channel ARD.
"…We have 880,000. We have a million-strong army. And at the same time, we have 30 million people now, specifically 30 million people working, maybe a little more. I can't say the exact number," Zelensky said.
At the same time, the Ukrainian leader clarified that the exact number of people who left the country since the start of the full-scale war is not known, citing a figure in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 million.
"So we are talking about all the people who are in Ukraine. And they are all defending Europe and the world. Absolutely. At their workplaces," Zelensky added.
The president also told the German television channel that he did not believe that the United States would completely withdraw its support for Ukraine in its confrontation against Russian aggression.
However, if this were to happen, Europe would not be able to provide the same level of assistance to Kyiv as it did before.
"Not with weapons, not financially. Why? Because probably, if all of Europe united, it would be able to provide enough support to Ukraine, but the US has influence. When the signals are not very positive, they have the same influence on some leaders of Europe," the president explained.
Zelenky added:
"If this happens and there is a delay in US support for Ukraine, it will affect a unified Europe. And there will be the subsequent problems."
According to the president, among the consequences of the US aid delay are a shortage of weapons and finances in Ukraine and the loss of an alliance between the US and Europe. Europe will be left alone in the confrontation with Russia if Ukraine does not withstand and the Russian dictator continues his advance.
Size of the Ukrainian army
Former Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, while in office, stated that the activities of the security and defense sector were provided by approximately 1 million people in various structures. As he said, in the summer of 2022, 700,000 individuals were mobilized in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
At the same time, in December 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed the size of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. According to him, nearly 600,000 soldiers from various branches of the military are serving in the Ground Forces.
It is also known that the number of women in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine increased by 40% over two years and amounts to nearly 43,000 servicewomen.
