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Rustem Umjerow: Anyone who does not comply with the request must expect a penalty

Photograph:

Michael Probst / AP

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wants to oblige Ukrainians living in Germany to serve in the armed forces in the coming year. Ukrainians between the ages of 25 and 60 should be asked to report to the recruitment centers of the Ukrainian armed forces, Umerov told Bild, Welt TV and Politico. We want justice for all, because it's about our own country."

"We send them an invitation and it is their right to come and serve us," the minister continued. At the same time, he made it clear that there would be penalties for those who did not comply with the request. "We're still discussing what will happen if they don't come voluntarily." It is "not a punishment to stand up for one's own country and to serve the country. It's an honor."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that the country's army leadership had proposed mobilizing "450,000 to 500,000" Ukrainians for the war against Russia. Zelensky has recently been on the road in several Western countries, including the United States, to promote further military and political support for Ukraine.

Umerov hopes for new military aid from the United States

In an interview with Bild, Welt TV and Politico, Defense Minister Umerov expressed optimism that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in the coming year. Both sides in Congress support the cause. And they also understand that the forces of evil want to change the world order."

He did not believe "that the United States will pull out," the minister said. He based his optimism on the constant consultations with the partners: "They make us all confident that we can stick to our plan."

The leaders of the US Senate had admitted on Tuesday that Congress will not approve new military aid to Ukraine this year. The background to this is resistance among the opposition Republicans to further aid for Kiev. US President Joe Biden had asked Congress in October for new Ukraine aid of around 61 billion dollars (just under 56 billion euros).

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article said that Zelensky had asked the military for hundreds of thousands more troops. In fact, the military made the request to the president. We have corrected the error.

asc/AFP