16,000 Foreigners Enlist to Fight for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has announced that 16,000 foreign volunteers are coming to the country. They comprise the first batch of volunteers who join Ukraine’s defenders.
Zelensky appeared in an emotional video calling on more nations for help while thanking those who sent military aid.
“Ukraine is already welcoming foreign volunteers who are coming to our country. The first of 16,000,” he said in a video message posted on his Telegram channel.
“We have nothing to lose but our own freedom,” Zelensky said, acknowledging the military aid sent by Ukraine’s allies.
The call for volunteers gained worldwide support over the weekend after Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that anyone interested in participating should contact Ukraine’s diplomatic missions in their respective countries.
“Together, we defeated Hitler. We will defeat Putin too,” said Kuleba.
Foreigners willing to defend Ukraine and world order as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, I invite you to contact foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine in your respective countries. Together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin, too.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 27, 2022
Veterans from Special Forces
Among the enlistees include veterans from special forces from the U.S., Germany, and the U.K., according to a report by the Washington Post.
They will join the International Legion set up by Zelensky to facilitate the absorption of the volunteer forces into Ukrainian military command.
Meanwhile, The Georgian Legion, which is composed of at least 200 volunteers from Albania, Britain, India, and the United States, is already on the ground in Ukraine fighting Russian forces.
In Asia, Japan, which is prohibited from declaring war on any nation as a consequence of its loss in World War II, is reportedly considering sending defense equipment to the embattled country.
The 27-member European Union will deliver weapons worth €450 million or roughly P25.6 billion.
Discover the best of culture, business, and style from Esquire Philippines. Visit Quento for more stories and subscribe to our YouTube channel for new videos.
