Day 664

The United States indicated that there remains enough funds for only one more aid package to Ukraine due to ongoing negotiations in Congress. No deal will be reached before January, making this next aid package the likely final for the year.

Moldova – a small country situated between Ukraine and Romania who has long maintained its neutral status due to Russian occupation of its eastern Transnistria region – became the fourth country in Europe to indicate a move away from neutrality and towards the West following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Prime Minister Recean stating “Neutrality will not protect Moldova.” as he called for the acquisition of air defense systems.

Ukraine appears to be preparing for a new round of mobilizations, with both President Zelenskyy and Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi making public comments about recruiting. The General Staff has proposed conscripting another half a million soldiers, though this number is subject to change and budget limitations. General mobilization was declared immediately following the invasion, with all military age males prevented from leaving country without permission in case of conscription.

Russia, too, is increasingly vocalizing its intentions to mobilize troops in 2024. However, senior Russian officials reportedly seek to generate close to a million troops through voluntary contracts. This number is extremely implausible. Putin has made great efforts to avoid committing to forcible mobilization of Russian manpower, likely for fear that the discontent it will generate could endanger his regime.