(Washington) The administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Ukraine to raise the minimum age for military mobilization to 18 instead of the current 25 to compensate for the lack of soldiers in the face of advancing forces Russians on the ground.
Posted at 9:00 p.m.
This call comes a few weeks before the next American president, Donald Trump, takes office, who could adopt a new approach and push Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow while the United States has until now massively supported Ukraine by providing 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.
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”.
Kyiv has already lowered the minimum age for mobilization this year from 27 to 25.
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.
World
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