Zelenskyy does not yet see the need to mobilize half a million people

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, believes that today there is no need to mobilize about 500,000 people into the ranks of the Armed Forces.

He said this in an interview with Channel 4 News.

«I personally do not see the need to mobilize half a million people. Not because I now want to somehow answer and please someone. It's just not just life, life is number one. And the second story — there are corresponding actions and corresponding operations. And that is why today I have not yet seen enough clear details to say that half a million must be mobilized,» said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He also noted that the mobilization of such a large number of people requires significant funds from the state budget.

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«And the third is money. And no matter how one feels, all these finances definitely do not come from partners. I want everyone to understand: the Ukrainian budget provides money for mobilization and salaries of our military. And therefore, when we talk about half a million (mobilized, — note), we have to think,» the president added.

The updated law on mobilization in Ukraine

On December 19, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gave a final press conference, where he announced that the General Staff and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi proposed to mobilize up to 400,000-500,000 more people for military operations.

Subsequently, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi commented on the plans to mobilize 500,000 people into the ranks of the Ukrainian army. He said the command did not request specific numbers.

The head of the «Servant of the People» presidential faction, David Arakhamiia, said that on December 25, the government was supposed to submit a draft law on mobilization, which he is working on at the request of the military.

On January 4, the Council's Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence began considering a new law on mobilization. The discussion together with the command of the Armed Forces and representatives of the Ministry of Defense will last several days.

On January 11, draft law No. 10378 on improving mobilization, military registration and military service was sent back for revision.

What about the mobilization in Mykolaiv Oblast?

As you know, during the full-scale war, 33,000 residents of the Mykolaiv Oblast were mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces.

The head of the Mykolaiv regional military administration, Vitalii Kim, expressed his belief in the need for mobilization after personal communication with the military, who are currently defending the state.

The head of the RMA added that money should not be the main motivation for protecting the state.

In response to this, Oksana Kaliuzhna, a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council, reacted negatively to the regional leadership's statement regarding mobilization, comparing the issuing of summonses to evasioners to catching dogs.

Lowering the conscription age in Ukraine

As for the conscription age, Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that such a decision is fully reasoned. At the press conference, he agreed with the proposal to reduce the age limit for men on military registration from 27 to 25 years from 27 to 25 years.

This opinion is also shared by Major General Dmytro Marchenko, who considers it absolutely necessary to lower the conscription age.

Are women mobilized?

The President of Ukraine criticized the idea of forced mobilization of women.

«Women's mobilization — no, I will not sign. As for 25 years: if it is argued — and today I see that it is necessary — then I will agree with it,» said the president.

As you know, currently in Ukraine there is a clearly defined list of reasons and necessary documents for postponing conscripts from mobilization. A postponement may be granted due to health conditions, the presence of three or more minor children, or care for parents with disabilities.

We will remind that in June of this year, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine submitted a draft law on reducing the list of persons who can receive a deferment from military service. After the signing of the law by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it will be possible not to serve only if there are no other people in the family capable of supporting a person with a disability.