The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to lower its draft age to conscript 18-year-olds to keep pace with Russia’s growing military.
President Biden’s administration is urging Ukraine to lower its draft age to conscript 18-year-olds to keep pace with Russia’s growing military nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. A senior Biden administration official told The Associated Press Wednesday that 'the pure math' of Ukraine’s situation calls for lowering the draft age from the current age of 25 to expand its outnumbered fighting force.
Lowering the minimum conscription age, however, has some Ukrainians worried that taking more young adults out of the workforce could further damage its already war-ravaged economy. Some Ukrainian officials see the push from the U.S. as part of a Western effort to distract from their own delays in providing weaponry and other equipment.
White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett in a statement said the administration will continue sending Ukraine weaponry but believes 'manpower is the most vital need' for Ukraine. 'So, we’re also ready to ramp up our training capacity if they take appropriate steps to fill out their ranks,' Savett said.
President-elect Trump has said that he will bring about a swift end to the war when he takes office on Jan. 20, 2025, though some are concerned that he may not continue to provide Ukraine with military support. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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