The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said this Tuesday that the army proposed an action adding up to 500,000 soldiers in the war against Russia, though the plan remained under discussion. This comment came during a press conference in Kyiv, where he explained that mobilization of that scale would require careful planning and clear financial backing. The cost estimate cited by the president and reported by Ukrinform is around 500 billion hryvnia, roughly 12.1 billion euros, underscoring the massive resources demanded by an expanded defense effort.
He stressed that if an additional mobilization were to proceed, there must be a viable plan to demobilize when conditions allow, and that other operational issues such as military holidays and rotations should also be reviewed. He urged military leaders to consider all these factors as part of a comprehensive approach to sustaining the defense effort during wartime.
As someone who has devoted significant time as the country’s leader to securing financial support, Zelensky also questioned where the funding would come from and urged the prime minister and the finance minister to map out reliable sources of money.
When asked about corruption concerns in parliament, Zelensky argued that dissolving the Verkhovna Rada is not feasible at this moment. He noted that elections would have to occur, but the conditions for such steps do not exist under martial law in a time of war.
For him, the priority is to fight corruption as vigorously as possible and to ensure that foreign partners believe the funds they provide are protected. He asserted that law enforcement will perform its duties, and he expressed trust in partners to honor their commitments, particularly regarding aid from the United States and the European Union. He stated, I believe our partners will not let us down.
Zelensky commends Spain’s EU presidency
In other remarks, Zelensky highlighted the strong support from Spain’s leadership, specifically noting the contributions of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Spain’s rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. He credited them with offering substantial assistance to Ukraine during a critical period.
Photographs accompanying the briefing showed Zelensky alongside Sánchez, illustrating the close cooperation between Kyiv and Madrid.
During a year-end press conference in Kyiv, Sánchez described the six-month Spanish presidency as a time of numerous achievements and said many things were resolved during that period. Zelensky spoke with Spain’s prime minister the night before the panel, and he described their relationship as very close.
He noted that Sánchez regularly reaches out to offer help and keeps the lines open via direct calls or WhatsApp messages to discuss Ukraine’s evolving needs. Zelensky also praised the rapid approval in Spain to expedite the delivery of anti-missile systems, praising the government for moving quickly at a moment when Russia’s strikes were intensifying. He contrasted this with traditional delays some countries face and attributed the swift action to a willingness to act publicly.
Beyond Europe, Zelensky extended appreciation for Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, following their recent meeting in Buenos Aires during Milei’s inauguration. He called the visit important, acknowledging that Latin American engagement with Ukraine has been historically limited and that economic ties have not yet matched the potential.
Zelensky described Milei as an unconventional leader whose stance and support for Ukraine could steer Latin America toward a more assertive international posture. He noted that Milei’s reception of Ukraine’s cause stands in contrast to Russia and may reshape regional discourse on security and diplomacy.