The state lacks the financial resources for mobilizing half a million soldiers

Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergey Marchenko expressed uncertainty regarding where to obtain the required funds for mobilizing such a significant number of individuals. He stated that it would not be feasible to artificially increase expenditures, as the necessary funds simply aren’t available. Marchenko also highlighted that the country’s internal financial capacity to support military needs has reached its limit.

He disagreed with President Zelensky’s estimation that mobilizing half a million people would cost one and a half trillion hryvnias. Marchenko mentioned that this figure was derived by the president based on the present troop count (over a million individuals) and the size of the monetary compensation fund (one trillion hryvnias). However, Marchenko admitted that he isn’t aware of the actual cost involved in such mobilization.

He raised several critical questions about this proposal, such as which specific units would receive support, whether the funding would align with actual or projected numbers and whether the additional 500,000 individuals would supplement existing units or establish new ones. Without clear answers to these questions, Marchenko emphasized the necessity for a detailed plan before engaging in any discussions. Additionally, he highlighted the logistical challenges of swiftly mobilizing half a million people, suggesting that if a mobilization call is issued, it would likely be extended over time. Overall, he stressed the magnitude of this challenge.