Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed calls to lower the age of the military draft following reports that US officials are pushing Kyiv to consider conscripting men as young as 18.
The Biden administration reportedly pushed for a lower draft age, saying it would help Ukraine quickly grow its military.
A US State Department spokesperson said they’re ready to train and equip new forces if Ukraine increases its numbers, but ultimately, the decision is up to Kyiv.
Zelensyy noted that there’s a lot of discussion in the media about lowering the draft age for Ukrainians to go to the frontlines.
However, he said, “We must focus on equipping existing brigades and training personnel to use this equipment.”
“We must not compensate the lack of equipment and training with the youth of soldiers. The priority should be providing missiles and lowering Russia’s military potential, not Ukraine’s draft age. The goal should be to preserve as many lives as possible, not to preserve weapons in storages.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Currently, Ukrainian men aged 25 to 60 can be drafted, with a goal of adding 160,000 soldiers by the end of the year.
However, recruitment hasn’t been easy. Many men are dodging the draft, and some units are struggling with poorly trained soldiers who don’t last long on the front lines.
Commanders have raised concerns about the lack of preparation among recruits, with some saying too many are lost to injuries or worse shortly after arriving at the front.
In some cases, draft officers have been seen conducting conscription raids in cafes, clubs, and even concerts to catch potential draftees.
Zelenskyy Says Putin Fears Trump
In a separate post on X, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Donald Trump as one of the only leaders feared by Russian President Vladimir Putin while calling on the international community to come together to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking after meeting with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris over the weekend, Zelenskyy said that the talks had been “very productive,” and he was grateful for Trump’s “strong resolve” to bring the conflict to an end.
“We know that America has the capacity to accomplish remarkable things – things that others have not been able to achieve. To succeed in ending this war, we need unity – the unity of America, Europe, and everyone in the world who values security – as well as strong positions and guarantees for peace.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy disclosed that he had told the United States President-elect that Putin “fears only him and, perhaps, China.”
“And that’s the truth – only decisiveness can bring this war to a just end and ensure lasting peace. Action is needed now to restore the proper international order.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy’s remarks come two days after Trump called for an “immediate ceasefire” and negotiations to end the conflict.
“Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday December 8 2024. “Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse,” Trump added.
Zelensky addressed Trump’s post on his Telegram channel, saying the war “cannot be ended simply with a piece of paper and a few signatures,” warning that “a ceasefire without guarantees can be reignited at any moment, as Putin has already done in the past.”
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed he would be able to bring an end to the conflict within 24 hours, without elaborating on his plans.
While Trump’s strategy for ending the war is unclear, supporters of Ukraine have raised fears that it could involve cutting off military aid to Kyiv and ceding some or all of the Ukrainian territory seized by Russian forces.
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