Spend all your Money on Weapons and don’t cry !

Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. President Zelensky finds himself in an unwinnable situation. Funds and aid are drying up and it seems that the international community are starting to distance themselves from him and his regime.

It has been reported that Zelensky has requested a further 500,000 troops be mobilised. Currently there are conscripts in their 30s and 40s including women on the front line. Where will half a million new troops come from ? Well, yesterday we found out.

Ukrainian males aged 25 to 60 residing in foreign countries will receive a request to fulfil military service, according to Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. While he framed it as an “invitation,” there seemed to be an implied suggestion that non-compliance might result in sanctions. Nevertheless, a spokesperson later clarified that there were no plans for a mandatory call-up.

In addition to these proposed measures, in his recent visit to the US, Zelensky mentioned he was contemplating the inclusion of 40-year-old men in the draft, underscoring the increasing challenge of maintaining manpower at the front line. The reference suggests the growing urgency in addressing the need for additional personnel in the ongoing conflict.

If Zelensky requires an additional half a million men, how many has he lost ? It is very hard to get an accurate number, main stream outlets put the Ukrainian death toll around 70K with 120K wounded. It would seem that this number is way too low given the number of additional personnel required. Some alternative news site are estimating deaths in the 300K area.

This is only one of his problems. Where will the money to continue fighting come from? On his visit to the US capital it appeared as if U.S. Senate negotiators had abandoned efforts to reach a deal for providing billions of dollars in war funding to Ukraine, opting to begin their holiday recess and resume talks in January. Bickering between the Democrats and Republicans have all but blocked this avenue before the year end.

John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, stated on Tuesday that the Pentagon could dispatch one more aid package to Kyiv this year using existing funding authority. However, he emphasized that without new legislation, this would be the last aid package available.

Since 2022, a total of $350 billion in aid has been committed by predominantly Western nations. Zelensky wants $61 billion now and last week he had his begging bowl out again as in November this year.

The remaining balance in the appropriations fund for purchasing new weapons, known as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, stands at $1.1 billion within the Pentagon. However, officials intend to utilize this amount within the next 15 days to reimburse the Defence Department, covering the restoration of goods and services previously provided to Ukraine. This encompassing range may involve items ranging from weaponry and training to logistics support. After this the coffers are dry.

What about Europe ? Viktor Orbán has pledged to remain steadfast in blocking the EU’s financial package for Ukraine, asserting that neither offers of money nor threats from fellow leaders at an upcoming emergency summit will sway his decision. The Hungarian leader, known for his assertive approach, recently vetoed a four-year, €50bn aid package to Kyiv. This move has prompted other EU leaders to explore alternative avenues, potentially involving a complex procedure to allocate funds without Hungary’s participation.

EU leaders are assuring Ukraine that it will receive its €50 billion aid package to support its war-affected economy amid the Russian invasion, irrespective of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s support. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed confidence that leaders could reach a compromise and resolve the issue in early next year.

So, with a lack of manpower and a lack of funds, where does Zelensky go from here ? Here at Flat out News, we believe that come the new year he will have no option but to come to the negotiation table, although we think a total unconditional surrender is all that Putin will accept.