(ANSA-AFP) - KYIV, FEB 1 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky on Tuesday announced plans to add 100,000 personnel to
the armed forces over three years and end obligatory service, as
tensions soar with Russia. But Zelensky insisted the move --
part of a drive to modernise the 250,000-strong military -- did
not mean a large-scale invasion by Moscow was imminent amid
fears over a massive buildup of Russia troops at Ukraine's
borders. Ukraine's armed forces have undergone major
improvements since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula without
a fight in 2014 and began fuelling a separatist conflict that
has cost more than 13,000 lives. Zelensky signed a decree to add
100,000 personnel over the next three years, create 20 new
brigades and improve the pay and living conditions for
servicemen. He also ordered the government to draft legislation
to end obligatory military service for young men by 2024 as Kyiv
looks to professionalise its forces. "The decree is not because
there will soon be war. But for us to have peace in the future,"
Zelensky said. (ANSA-AFP).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved