Reduction of Ukraine's military was not discussed in Geneva – talks concerned peacetime forces
Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that the issue of reducing the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was not raised during negotiations between the Ukrainian and US delegations in Geneva regarding the "peace plan".
Source: Hnatov in an interview with Ukrainian news portal LIGA.net
Quote: "There was no talk of reducing the Armed Forces. The discussion was about views on the size of the Armed Forces in peacetime. This is a highly debated issue."
Details: Hnatov said both Kyiv and Washington share the view that the best security guarantee for Ukraine remains a properly equipped, combat-ready military.
He noted that the final plan for Ukraine's military structure will impact how the command plans to retain service members in the armed forces once active hostilities conclude.
Hnatov emphasised that this is a complex task that requires the involvement of all state institutions.
"There needs to be clarity on what the Ukrainian army will look like, its size, remuneration, social guarantees for service personnel and many other issues. This work is not only the responsibility of the General Staff," the official said.
Hnatov added that the General Staff already has an initial vision and that a document is currently being worked on.
Background:
- On the night of 20-21 November, Axios published the full list of points in the new US "peace plan" presented to Ukraine
- The initial version proposed that Ukraine cede Donbas, give up part of its weaponry and reduce the size of the Armed Forces to 600,000.
- Later, Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister, said that the US and Ukraine have developed a new 19-point proposal in Geneva, leaving the most politically sensitive issues for the countries' presidents to decide.
- On 25 November, Trump said the sides are very close to reaching an agreement and sent his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, while US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is engaging with the Ukrainian side.
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