Ukraine will raise military wages and seek to recruit more fighters from abroad, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This decision comes as the army faces a manpower shortage following four years of war with Russia. In his daily address, Zelenskiy mentioned a need for increased financial support for defense and the transformation of the Ukrainian army. The cabinet will approve a specific plan, with new payments starting in June.
To increase defense spending, Ukraine has secured a €90 billion loan from the European Union, raising the budget to a record 4.4 trillion hryvnias ($97 billion) for this year. Zelenskiy announced a one-third increase in the basic military wage to 30,000 hryvnias ($700). Infantry soldiers will see their average salary rise significantly, and they will be offered new fixed-term contracts. Additionally, Zelenskiy plans to create more opportunities for recruiting foreign volunteers, with around 10,000 already serving from over 70 countries.
With information from Reuters
