Zelensky: army size depends on NATO membership and funding

President outlines strategy for Armed Forces development

Volodymyr Zelensky, in a conversation with the host of the "TSN. Tyzhden" programme, Alla Mazur, detailed the approach to determining the optimal number of Ukrainian military personnel. The head of state emphasised that maintaining the army at a level of 800,000 personnel is currently critically important for ensuring a full level of security.

Membership in the Alliance as a factor of change

However, the President noted that this figure is not dogmatic. In his words, after Ukraine's official accession to the North Atlantic Treaty, requirements for the size of the Armed Forces may change.

"Якщо у мене достатньо фінансів, я хочу зберегти армію 800 тисяч людей. Якщо ми в НАТО - кількість може бути 800 тис і менше" (If I have sufficient finances, I want to keep an army of 800,000 people. If we are in NATO, the number can be 800,000 or less), Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised.

Funding as a key aspect

The key point the President drew attention to is the issue of financial support for the defence sector. He explained that the main criterion is who exactly will bear the costs of maintaining the army.

"І це моє питання з НАТО" (And this is my question to NATO), the head of state summarised.

Position on negotiations

Zelensky also clearly outlined the boundaries of the discussion on this topic. He stated that the issue of the internal size of the army is purely internal and is not subject to discussion with either Russian representatives or the American side.