The United States has made it known to Ukraine that should Kiev increase its pool of soldiers by lowering the conscription age down to 18, the US and its allies will be ready to equip and train new recruits, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday.
"Ultimately, the decisions about the composition of its military force, those are decisions that the Ukrainians have to make for themselves. What we have made clear is that if they produce additional forces to join the fight, we and our allies will be ready to equip those forces and train those forces to enter battle," Miller told reporters.
In late November, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky introduced significant reforms to the country’s military recruitment system. These included offering military service contracts to citizens under 25 years old and simplifying personnel promotions by decoupling ranks from specific positions. However, these measures come amid growing concerns about Ukraine's ability to sustain its mobilization efforts.
To address these issues, a law strengthening mobilization measures came into effect on May 18. The law requires all conscripts to update their information at military registration offices within 60 days, either in person or via an electronic account. Importantly, summonses are now considered delivered even if they are not received personally; the date of official documentation suffices as proof of delivery. Conscripts are also mandated to carry military IDs at all times and present them upon request by military officials or police. Those attempting to evade conscription face penalties, such as the revocation of their driving privileges.
The law’s omission of clear terms for demobilization has sparked criticism among lawmakers, raising questions about its long-term implications. Meanwhile, reports of aggressive recruitment tactics have surfaced. In mid-October, shocking images emerged showing recruiters and police detaining mobilization-age men at various public locations, including clubs, malls, gyms, restaurants, gas stations, and even a wedding. These incidents reflect the mounting pressure on Ukrainian authorities to meet recruitment quotas, despite rising public discontent.