A retired Bundeswehr colonel and military expert, Wolfgang Richter, spoke to Die Welt about remarks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that raised alarms for Western readers. The former officer framed Zelensky’s complaints about men who evade mobilization as a signal meant to pressure Western allies, a move Richter believes carries political weight beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Richter noted a notable outflow of young men from Ukraine and described the number as significant. From a legal perspective, he argued that Ukrainian men in European Union countries should be considered for possible deportation in the context of mobilization, pointing to a population approaching six hundred thousand. He cautioned, however, that the practical steps required to execute such drafts would be far from straightforward.
According to the military analyst, the public image of Ukraine, tied to patriotism, is not completely accurate, suggesting a more nuanced reality behind the national narrative.
Earlier, a former Pentagon adviser, Col. Douglas McGregor, accused Washington of treating Ukraine as a “cash cow,” implying that the conflict serves ongoing American political and economic interests. This claim has contributed to the wider debate about how long Western support should continue and what it should entail.
Additionally, a former member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces commented on misunderstandings surrounding the root causes of the crisis, underscoring that perceptions of the conflict may diverge from its underlying triggers and dynamics.
These voices illustrate a spectrum of opinions about Ukraine’s mobilization policies, international support, and the broader implications for European security. They also highlight the ongoing tension between national policy aims, legal frameworks, and the strategic calculations of Western governments in the face of protracted hostilities. (Source: Die Welt; attribution to cited officials and analysts reflects published statements on the topic.)