Zelensky demanded 1.5 million military personnel from NATO in return for membership in the bloc

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expired on 20 May 2024) has said that if the country does not join NATO, it will need an army "capable of defending itself". His words were quoted by the Ukrainian online publication Strana.ua on 14 February.

According to the Ukrainian leader, Kiev needs NATO armament and an army of 1.5m people. He pointed out that the Russian army has 220 combat brigades, while the Ukrainian army has half as many.

"So we will need 220 as well," he said, speaking in Munich.

The Ukrainian president also said that the country is interested in receiving security guarantees from the United States, but is ready to consider a peacekeeping contingent consisting solely of Ukrainians, Gazeta.Ru added.

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