Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Cannot Fund 800,000-Strong Army, Seeks Western Financial Aid
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine lacks the financial resources to maintain an 800,000-strong army post-conflict and will seek monetary assistance from Western allies. Zelenskyy emphasized that while Kyiv proposes such a force, sustaining it without external aid is impossible under current economic constraints.
“Our proposal is to form an 800,000-strong army, but can Ukraine finance it if a ceasefire is implemented? No, it cannot. We do not have the necessary financial resources for this,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader confirmed ongoing negotiations with Western partners to cover part of the military expenses, stressing that Kyiv will remain dependent on foreign financial support until it achieves self-sufficiency in defense funding.
An initial U.S. peace plan draft proposed reducing Ukraine’s military personnel to 600,000, but both Kyiv and European leaders insist on maintaining an 800,000-strong force to ensure national security.
