Ukraine leader signs law to call up reservists for military service

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a joint press conference with European Council president in Kiev on March 3, 2021. (SERGEY DOLZHENKO / POOL / AFP)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a law allowing reservists to be called up for military service without announcing mobilization, his office said on Wednesday.

Approved by parliament late in March, the measure makes it possible to significantly boost the armed forces, amid escalation of tension with Russia in eastern Ukraine.

"This will make it possible to quickly equip the military units of all defense forces with reservists, thereby significantly increasing their combat effectiveness during military aggression," the office said.

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On Tuesday, Zelenskiy offered to meet Russia President Vladimir Putin in the conflict zone near the two countries’ border.

“Ukraine and Russia, despite their common past, look to the future differently,” Zelenskiy said in a video message on Facebook. “But this isn’t necessarily a problem – this is an opportunity. At the very least, an opportunity to stop the deadly mathematics of future military losses before it’s too late.”

There’s been no response to the invitation from Zelenskiy.

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