Keystone-SDA
The United States on Wednesday called on Ukraine to raise the minimum age for military mobilization to 18 to compensate for the lack of soldiers in the face of advancing Russian forces. kyiv has already lowered the age for mobilization from 27 to 25 this year.
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November 28, 2024 – 03:21
(Keystone-ATS) This call comes a few weeks before the arrival at the White House of the next American president, Donald Trump, who could adopt a new approach and push kyiv to negotiate with Moscow, while the United States has until now massively supported the Ukraine by supplying it with weapons.
A senior official in the current U.S. administration said on condition of anonymity that Ukraine faces an “existential” recruiting crisis, with a dwindling volunteer pool facing an enemy with larger forces. and better equipped.
“The truth is that Ukraine is currently not mobilizing and training enough troops to replace battlefield losses and sustain itself in the face of growing Russian forces,” he said. .
No conditions
Asked what age of mobilization would be appropriate, this official replied that there would be “a real advantage in considering lowering the age of recruitment to 18”.
The White House clarified on Wednesday that American military aid would in no case be conditional on a further reduction. “We will absolutely continue to send weapons and equipment to Ukraine. We know it’s vital. But so are the human numbers,” White House spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement.
“Besides, we believe that staffing is the most vital need [de l’Ukraine]. We are therefore ready to increase our training capacities if they decide on appropriate measures to replenish the ranks,” he added.
Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would appoint General Keith Kellogg, who has called on kyiv for several concessions, as an emissary to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
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