US Urges Ukraine to Lower Draft Age to 18

The United States has renewed calls for Ukraine to reduce its military conscription age from 25 to 18, amid critical personnel shortages within the Ukrainian armed forces.

According to a report by Reuters, Washington has pressed Kyiv to take urgent steps to address its recruitment challenges.

A White House source emphasized the need for immediate action, stating that Ukraine must recruit and train a larger pool of new soldiers to sustain its military operations.

In mid-October, Serhiy Leshchenko, an advisor to the Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed bipartisan support in the US Congress for lowering the draft age.

Drawing comparisons to the Vietnam War, where American conscription began at 19, US officials argue that Western military aid alone is insufficient, and mobilizing younger recruits is essential to counter Russian advances.

A recent article in The Economist revealed that Ukraine's military has failed to reach even two-thirds of its recruitment targets.

Ukrainian officials warn that the situation could become critical by spring 2025.

Many of the current recruits are older individuals or lack the motivation to engage in active combat, creating additional strain on military readiness.

Reports indicate growing public dissatisfaction with Kyiv's escalating conscription measures. 

Zelenskyy’s government has ramped up mandatory recruitment efforts, with military police conducting raids in gyms, restaurants, and public venues across towns and villages. 

Authorities are reportedly conscripting men with partial disabilities and chronic illnesses, intensifying public outcry.

The Strana newspaper highlighted a sharp rise in illegal border crossings, bribery, and other extreme attempts to evade conscription.

Earlier this month, Zelenskyy signed two laws extending martial law and general mobilization until 7 February 2025. Martial law has been in effect in Ukraine since 24 February 2022, with successive extensions to its general mobilization decree.

Despite these measures, Ukrainian lawmakers and officials admit that the mobilization effort is far from meeting its goals. Challenges such as declining recruitment rates and growing resistance to conscription remain significant obstacles.