The United States believes that Ukraine “is currently not training enough troops to replace losses” on the battlefield.
The administration of outgoing American President Joe Biden called on Ukraine this Wednesday, November 27, to raise the minimum age for military mobilization to 18 years instead of the current 25 years to compensate for the lack of soldiers in the face of advancing forces. Russians on the ground.
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 told reporters on condition of anonymity that Ukraine faces an “existential” recruiting crisis, with a dwindling supply of volunteers, facing an enemy with more numerous and better equipped forces.
“The most vital need”
“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 about the age of mobilization that would be appropriate, this official replied that there would be “a real advantage in considering lowering the age of recruitment to 18 years”. kyiv has already lowered the minimum age for mobilization this year from 27 to 25 years.
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 is vital. But so are the human resources,” the House spokesperson said in a statement. White, John Kirby.
“Besides, we believe that troops are (Ukraine's) most vital need. We are therefore ready to increase our training capabilities if they decide on appropriate measures to replenish the ranks,” he said. -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.