**Ukraine’s Military Equipment Shortage**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview that Ukraine needs better equipment, not more soldiers. He stated that Western partners have only fully equipped two and a half out of 10 military brigades requested by Ukraine.
**France Helps Out**
Recently, the French government supplied another army brigade with French weapons as part of its military aid to Ukraine. This brigade will receive various military assets, including armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery units, and light tanks.
**Equipment Over Numbers**
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s primary issue is not troop numbers, but rather the lack of proper equipment and weaponry. He said he has been requesting this support for over a year, with initial agreements made with the United States and European allies.
**Concerns About Mobilization**
Addressing concerns about mobilization, Zelenskyy challenged the approach of some European leaders who seem focused on recruiting young people. “Do you want someone to go to their death without weapons?” he said. The president stressed that decisions about military personnel are made with the primary goal of preserving as many lives as possible.
**Lowering Mobilization Age?**
There is ongoing discussion about lowering Ukraine’s mobilization age with Western partners. Recent reports suggest that the United States is encouraging Ukraine to quickly increase its armed forces, potentially by revising mobilization legislation to allow conscription from age 18.