Key to victory in the Russia-Ukraine war: Not more money but more troops

Julian Röpcke, a journalist for the German "Bild" newspaper and a respected military analyst, assessed that support from the West is insufficient for Ukraine to go on the offensive and try to win the war provoked by Russia. He pointed to one key condition for Kyiv to defeat the aggressor.

German journalist Julian Röpcke, who covers the war in Ukraine, spoke about Western support for Ukraine. In his opinion, financial support from the West is futile if the Ukrainians do not mobilise more of their citizens for military service.

Today, what the Armed Forces of Ukraine need most are soldiers fighting on the front.

"All the American money, all the Western support, all the German weapons won’t help if Ukraine does not mobilize another 250,000 soldiers at least to reinforce a far too thin manned front." - pointed out Julian Röpcke.

He also referred to the Russian army's capture of the village of Oczeretyne. It is about 25 kilometres north-west of Avdiivka. The front is moving slightly deeper into Ukraine, although the changes are still cosmetic. But the Russians are advancing.

The Ukrainian authorities have decided to mobilise and are calling up even 500,000 men to arms. This move is intended to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine more effectively repel the attacking Russians and possibly launch a counter-attack in the spring or early summer.