Avakov calls for Ukrainian military to become volunteer force due to difficulties with mobilization

16:20, 30.07.2015 1 min read

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has spoken in favor of rapidly reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine into a professional volunteer army after the difficulties with mobilization.

"The army needs to be urgently switched to a professional contract basis, reducing the number of troops and increasing the pay to real skilled servicemen, as well as [increasing] their provision. Discipline, preparedness and motivation have advantages over numbers. This approach has a future, while catching conscripts in the streets and trams has none. As a minister and a member of the National Security and Defense Council I will put forward a proposal to apply such an approach without delay. I will appeal to the supreme commander-in-chief," Avakov wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday afternoon.