“Even if a ceasefire takes effect tomorrow, mobilization will not stop,” Palisa told Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.
“We still need to maintain our armed forces’ readiness to carry out priority tasks.”
He said demobilization isn’t possible now because there aren’t enough civilians to replace current service members.
“No matter how much we might wish otherwise, we cannot release all who have served since 2022 and fought in the Defense Forces,” Palisa said.
“We need new personnel to step in so that life in the rest of Ukraine can continue as it is today.”
Palisa, a career military officer, added that it “hurts to see” on social media that some Ukrainians are fighting at the front while others “live their lives as they please.”
He stated that the government does not intend to “force anyone into perpetual servitude” but must balance mobilization with the country’s defense needs. He said the Defense Ministry and the General Staff will soon unveil a plan to do just that.
Over the past four months, Palisa said, Ukraine has seen a steady, positive trend in mobilization numbers.