Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a recent press conference, voiced a worrying forecast regarding Russia's actions following the conclusion of the presidential elections. According to the head of state, the Kremlin may resort to a new wave of mobilization to avoid the colossal financial expenses required to maintain contract soldiers.
Economic logic of escalation
Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian elections are becoming a "line of demarcation" for Vladimir Putin. Following this event, the dictator is likely to take new steps to escalate the conflict. The main factor influencing the choice of warfare methods remains the economy.
"We understand that this could be an increase in mobilization. What you said is one of the understandable steps, but it costs money. That is, he cannot increase contracting because it requires paying large sums. Therefore, he may resort to increasing mobilization where such contracts do not need to be signed," explained the Ukrainian leader.
Thus, instead of expensive contracts, Moscow may return to compulsory conscription, which will allow it to preserve human resources without significant strain on the budget.
Preparation strategy and countermeasures
Kyiv has already begun calculating such risks. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine must be prepared for any decisions by the Kremlin in advance. In addition to mobilization, Moscow has other levers to exacerbate the situation on the front, which Putin may use to pressure other countries or gain a tactical advantage.
However, the head of state sees an alternative scenario for the development of events. He is convinced that it is precisely the active operational actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that can force the Kremlin to sit at the negotiating table. To accelerate this process, Zelenskyy shared his vision of Ukraine's needs with leaders of the European Union and the President of the United States.
Diplomatic shift and new alliances
Alongside military forecasts, Ukraine is actively restructuring its diplomatic strategy. A large-scale update of the diplomatic corps is expected: several ambassadors, including in the US, will leave their posts after the current discussions are concluded.
In the sphere of security, Kyiv is also betting on expanding partnerships. Ukraine and the EU are approaching the implementation of the Drone Deal initiative, which will become the basis for joint production not only of drones but also of other types of modern weaponry. In addition, Zelenskyy confirmed the existence of secret agreements with countries in the Middle East, the details of which remain classified for security reasons.
