Ukraine Rejects U.S. Calls to Lower Draft Age from 25 to 18, Says Senior Official Amid Recruitment Challenges

Dec 5, 2024, 03:08 PM

Ukrainian officials have firmly rejected calls from the United States to lower the conscription age from 25 to 18. A senior Ukrainian official stated that the country's position is clear and that they will not lower the mobilization age, despite pressures from Washington. The official emphasized that the current age of 25 is maintained to protect the youth, with one mother expressing concern that lowering the age would lead to the 'destruction of the Ukrainian people.' Reports indicate that Ukrainian military officials have not discussed the possibility of lowering the draft age, even as U.S. officials express the need for increased manpower amid ongoing recruitment and desertion challenges within the Ukrainian army. Former U.S. Army Europe commander Ben Hodges has suggested that Ukraine should consider lowering the draft age to 18 and also recruit women and refugees to bolster its armed forces. However, the consensus among Ukrainian leadership remains against any changes to the current draft age policy.