Ukrainian officials announced Sunday that around 20,000 foreign volunteers had joined up to fight alongside Ukraine against invading Russian forces.
According to the Washington Post, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed at a press conference on Sunday that the number of foreign applicants is “approaching 20,000.”
“We welcome veterans and volunteers from 52 nations throughout the world. According to local media, Kubela stated, “This is their goal.”
The surge in applications follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for “citizens of the globe” to join the Ukrainian defense force last week, and the lifting of visa requirements for foreign fighters.
In a video released on Thursday, Zelensky said that over 16,000 warriors had volunteered to help the country resist Russian forces.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry also put out a call for foreign volunteers on Facebook, asking for applicants with combat experience who have “citizenship other than Ukrainian, but … are standing with Ukraine against [the] Russian invasion.”
“This is [the] time to act!” wrote the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “Join the International Legion of Territorial Defense!