Mobilization from 18 Years: US State Department Says It Has Sent a Clear Signal to Ukraine.

The US Offers Equipment and Training to Ukrainian Recruits

The US has proposed to provide equipment and training to Ukrainian recruits if the mobilization age is lowered to 18 years. This was announced by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a briefing on December 9, 2024.

According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under pressure regarding the mobilization of younger individuals due to a critical shortage of resources in the Ukrainian army.

'Ultimately, the decision about the composition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be made by Ukrainians. But we have made it clear - if they provide additional forces to participate in the fighting, we and our allies will be ready to equip and train those forces,' Miller emphasized.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also highlighted the importance of human resources in the fight against Russian aggression.

'Even with money, even with ammunition, there must be people on the front lines to deal with the Russian aggression,' Blinken noted.

However, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi opposed this move, arguing that Ukraine needs to exist for 20-30 years and must rely on the younger generation.

'We need Ukraine to exist for 20-30 years. The future belongs to them - those who are now 18. This is a completely different generation that will save this country,' Zaluzhnyi said.

Deputy Director of the Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Research Oleksandr Hadun noted that the situation in Ukraine is challenging, but it is necessary to fight and adapt to the new reality.