Zelenskyy says army will shift from mobilised to contract-based after war

Yevhen Kizilov - 5 February, 16:24

Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to maintain the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at 800,000 after the end of the war or a ceasefire, transitioning them from a mobilised to a contract army.

Source: Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is on a visit to Ukraine

Quote: "We will preserve our army – 800,000 – as discussed, transitioning it after the end of the war or after a ceasefire from a mobilised to a contract army… for those who wish."

Details: Zelenskyy stated that soldiers will need to be incentivised with high salaries.

Quote: "I set a task for the new defence minister [Mykhailo Fedorov – ed.], and I told him what the salary level should be for the first line, where people risk their lives. Even during a ceasefire on the front line, the pay must be much higher. This is what we are discussing; we will calculate everything and see what we can afford."

Details: Zelenskyy added that Ukraine will need financial support from Europe in this matter.

"Because the Ukrainian army is part of Europe's security," he said.

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