Ukraine calls for further mobilisation

Ukraine’s military wants to mobilise up to 500,000 extra people, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, as the war with Russia nears a two-year mark.

At a news conference in Kyiv, he said his commanders were seeking “450,000-500,000 individuals”, admitting this was a “sensitive” and costly issue. He said he needed more details before backing the move, hinting that 500,000 soldiers were already on the front.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said that Ukrainian men between the ages of 25 and 60 living abroad will be asked to report for military service.

The European Union can bypass Hungary’s opposition to joint aid for Ukraine by striking a separate deal among the 26 other member states at a summit early next year, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Thursday.

The bloc has been looking for ways to get around Hungary’s intransigence after talks over a 50 billion euros package for the government in Kyiv broke down at a summit last week.

A potential back-up option that has been floated is having member states funnel money to Kyiv outside of the EU budget process, an option Orbán signalled may be viable.

“It’s not a question that Hungary’s will can be circumvented in many areas,” the premier told reporters in Budapest. “The others have that opportunity in this area as well.”

Ukraine’s spies aim to intensify intelligence operations and conduct sabotage strikes deep in Russian-controlled territory next year to bring the war as close to the Kremlin as possible, the head of Ukraine’s SBU security service told Politico this week.

“We cannot disclose our plans. They should remain a shocker for the enemy. We prepare surprises,” Major General Vasyl Malyuk said in written responses to questions. “The occupiers must understand that it will not be possible to hide. We will find the enemy everywhere.”

While he dodged specifics, Malyuk did give some hints. Logistics targets and military assets in occupied Ukrainian territory are likely to continue to be a focus. And then there are strikes that hit the enemy across the border.

“We are always looking for new solutions. So, cotton will continue to burn,” Malyuk joked.

Ukrainians use the word “cotton” to describe explosions in Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine organised by Ukrainian special services.

Ukrainian lawmakers on Thursday approved in a second and final reading a bill to legalise medical marijuana.

The bill would create a national medical marijuana program to provide access to patients with conditions such as cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from war. The National Security and Defence Council and the Veterans Ministry have supported the move. The legislation will take effect in six months.