• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded a 1.5 million-strong army, requiring $60 billion annually, to protect the country until its NATO membership.
• Zelensky made this request during the Munich Security Conference in Germany, citing the need for NATO-standard weaponry and a sufficient number of trained troops to counter Russia’s military advantage.
• The Ukrainian leader highlighted the disparity between Ukrainian and Russian forces, noting that Kyiv currently maintains only 110 combat brigades compared to Moscow’s 220.
• However, Zelensky’s demands have sparked criticism, with some accusing him of using the war as an excuse to embezzle funds, and others noting the unrealistic nature of the proposal given the current financial climate and lack of support from key allies.
• The Trump administration has frozen foreign aid to Ukraine as part of a government-wide spending review, while many European NATO members have failed to meet the alliance’s defense spending target of two percent of GDP, making Zelensky’s proposal less feasible.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a bold demand to Kyiv’s backers: a standing army of 1.5 million soldiers, to the tune of $60 billion every year.

The comedian-turned president made this demand in remarks during the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 14, in Germany. He emphasized the need for standard-issue North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) arms and a significant increase in troop numbers to counter Russia’s military advantage.

“Until we are part of NATO, we need an army capable of protecting the country,” Zelensky said. “This means NATO-standard weaponry and a sufficient number of trained Ukrainian troops. Based on calculations with our military leadership, that means an army of 1.5 million soldiers.”

When asked how much money this demand will require, he answered that “it will cost $60 billion per year.” According to Zelensky, Kyiv currently spends $40 billion annually to maintain its existing force of 980,000 military personnel.

The Ukrainian leader also highlighted the disparity between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Kyiv currently maintains only 110 combat brigades, half of Moscow’s 220. “I’m just telling you the numbers that we understand with all the military,” Zelensky continued. (Related: Ukraine RUNNING OUT of soldiers to fight Russia.)

Zelensky’s call for more soldiers and funding comes as Kyiv’s dreams of becoming a member state remain out of reach. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO as “unrealistic,” a sentiment echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Zelensky remains adamant that NATO membership is the “cheapest” and most effective solution for Ukraine’s security.

Can Zelensky’s military ambitions survive financial scrutiny?

Zelensky’s plea comes amid growing skepticism from Washington about Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. However, his demands have sparked criticism, with some accusing him of using the war as an excuse to embezzle funds, especially as the U.S. signals a potential halt to its financial support for Kyiv.

In particular, the staggering financial implications linked to Zelensky’s demands have raised eyebrows. He himself admitted that maintaining a 1.5 million-strong military would require a 50 percent increase in funding.

The Trump administration has already frozen all foreign aid, including to Ukraine, as part of a government-wide spending review. Meanwhile, many European NATO members have failed to meet the alliance’s defense spending target of two percent of GDP, casting further doubt on the feasibility of Zelensky’s proposal.

According to the Germany-based Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Western countries have provided over $82 billion in aid annually since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. Washington has provided $66 billion, while the European Union has contributed almost $64 billion.

Moreover, critics argue that Zelensky’s “unrealistic” demands are frustrating efforts to end the war, particularly as the path to secure a lasting peace remain elusive. Russian officials have repeatedly cited Ukraine’s NATO aspirations as a root cause of the conflict.

Trump has blamed his predecessor, former U.S. President Joe Biden, for worsening tensions with his support of Ukraine’s NATO membership bid. In a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced plans for immediate negotiations to end the fighting, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy.

As the war drags on, Zelensky’s calls for a massive military buildup and increased funding risk alienating key allies and undermining peace efforts.  With Washington poised to scale back its support, Zelensky’s vision of a 1.5 million-strong army may prove to be little more than a pipe dream.

Check out UkraineWitness.com for more similar stories.

Watch this clip of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denying he embezzled aid money sent by the West.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

RT.com

Charter97.org

KyivPost.com

Brighteon.com