No discussions should be held regarding the reduction of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and defense industry during future negotiations with Russia, says the head of Udar, Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko’s party, Artur Palatnyi, according to RBC-Ukraine.
Ukraine must maintain a 500,000-strong professional and technologically advanced army, as well as drone and missile programs, he writes.
“The only real guarantee of Ukraine’s existence and the existence of a peaceful Europe is the Ukrainian army. The main thing that must not be discussed in negotiations with the US, the EU, and Russia is any weakening, reduction, or limitation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We cannot allow our army to be reduced to the size of a peacekeeping force with a giant predator on our doorstep,” he states.
If Ukraine agrees to such conditions, territory will mean nothing, and neither will security guarantees. He underlines that the Ukrainian military must remain a constant in the formula for future peace.
He also emphasizes that the reduction of Ukraine’s defense industry cannot be discussed.
“There must be no cuts to missile programs, drone production programs, or other weaponry. We’ve already experienced a shortage of shells due to delays in the supply of missiles from other countries. Cutting these programs would turn even a large army into cannon fodder. Our highest value should be the lives of our defenders,” he says.
Palatnyi also shares that the future Ukrainian forces should consist of a 500,000-strong professional technological army, with the core being soldiers who return from the front and wish to continue defending Ukraine.
“The bigger and stronger the Armed Forces of Ukraine are, the less the Russians will want to try to attack again. The longer peace and stability will last on the European continent,” Palatnyi states.
He also points out that Ukraine has developed unique missile and drone technologies, which will form the foundation of the strategies of modern armies worldwide. These developments must be preserved and further developed.
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