Ukraine does not need as many as 500,000 new troops, says Zelensky

DPA:  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday drew back from an earlier target of 500,000 additional troops needed to combat the Russian invasion.

"We do not need half a million," Zelensky said during a joint press conference in Kiev with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Zelensky said there were sufficient troops that could be sent to the front. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had earlier said much the same.

Neither has given a specific figure for the troops needed. In December, Zelensky spoke of a need for up to a half a million fresh troops.

To date, only men aged 27 and older have been called up. Zelensky has now signed a law providing for the age to be reduced to 25, theoretically adding 400,000 men.

The president said that Russia would be calling up an additional 300,000 troops on June 1. Conscripts reporting for training in Russia may not be sent to the front.

According to Moscow, there are enough volunteers prepared to join up for combat service. The figure is put at 100,000 since the start of the year.

Zelensky and Stubb signed a 10-year security and support agreement between Ukraine and Finland, with Helsinki pledging additional financial aid, along with support in training troops, clearing mines and repairing war damage.

Ukraine has signed similar agreements with Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.