Ukraine is counting on long-term financial support from international partners to maintain an army of 800,000 servicemen after the war ends. Kyiv seeks to ensure such funding for at least ten years.
This was reported by AFP, citing a high-ranking Ukrainian source.
According to the agency's informant, preserving a large and combat-capable army is seen as one of the means to protect Ukraine from a possible repeat of Russian aggression.
At the same time, the source did not specify how much money would be needed to implement such a plan, which states could participate in financing, and through which mechanism support would be provided.
The issue of post-war provision for the Armed Forces is raised amid trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, taking place on November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi. One of the main topics of the meetings is the formation of security guarantees that should prevent the resumption of hostilities after a possible peace settlement.
On November 10, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian delegation, together with partners, is working on concrete steps to reduce the intensity of hostilities and create an effective system of security guarantees.
The Ukrainian side also insists on the need for European partners to participate in discussions on future security arrangements.
To date, there has been no public report of an agreement on ten-year funding for the Ukrainian army. Information about the desired troop size and support period is based on a report by an anonymous source to AFP, not on an officially approved deal.
Source: AFP, Office of the President of Ukraine
