Potential increase in the army: Kuleba explained how the country will change

In the case of a serious increase in the Ukrainian army, the country would have to be turned upside down. As noted by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, this would require money from Ukraine’s partners.

This was stated by former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with BBC.

What is needed to increase the army

The journalist reminded the publication of the Ukrainian authorities' statements that the best security guarantees are not NATO, but a powerful Ukrainian Armed Forces. Specific numbers are even mentioned: if Russia’s army consists of one and a half million soldiers, then we should have an army of one and a half million as well.

"This is the Israeli model, a working case. It starts to falter only when it enters the realm of mathematics. How much will all of this cost? Because all of this has to be created in a very short period of time. This means we would need to keep one and a half million people in the army. Essentially, the entire country would need to be put under arms," Kuleba noted, adding, "We’ve seen the calculations: one soldier is supported by five, six, or eight civilians – it doesn’t matter, the key thing is that there are many more civilians," - Kuleba said.

Therefore, he emphasizes, we need to understand and honestly say: we are transitioning to a wartime regime.

"We are returning to the era of the Cossack Hetmanate. The country would need to be divided into regiments — I’m not joking right now, this is very serious. We are introducing true universal military service — for both men and women. Everyone must serve. We are changing the culture in society: for example, no one can say, "I donate, so I don’t fight," he stated.

He adds: this would simply mean turning the country upside down, with money for all of this coming from partners.

"That means we are essentially telling them: from us - a human and cultural revolution; from you - a financial revolution. And this will last for decades," the former foreign minister concluded.

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