Ukraine urged to mobilize youngest soldiers as war intensifies
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the army is crucial to success in the war. He also boldly asserted that Ukraine should mobilize even its youngest soldiers, including 18-year-olds, to serve on the front lines.
2:28 PM EST, December 4, 2024
- Money and ammunition for Ukraine are not enough if there are no soldiers on the front lines, - said Secretary of State Antony Blinken during an interview with Reuters. He admitted that this could be challenging.
According to Blinken, the current shortage of soldiers is becoming as crucial for the Ukrainian army as supplying it with weapons and ammunition. Increased supplies will be of no use if there's no one to fight.
18-year-olds from Ukraine to head to the front? Americans call for mobilization
- Even with money and ammunition, there must be people on the front lines to face Russian aggression, - stated the U.S. diplomat. He noted that the situation on the Ukrainian front is not favorable right now, so it's time for full mobilization.
In Ukraine, since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion attempt on Kyiv, a general mobilization has been in effect. This means that men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country.
Individuals within this age range may be drafted into the military. However, until now, men under 26 have not been joining the Ukrainian army.
As reported by rp.pl, in recent months, Russia has gained the initiative on the front. The aggressor is achieving success and seizing additional areas of Ukrainian land.
The Russian offensive is primarily ongoing in Donbas. However, the Russian army is likely preparing, according to Ukrainian intelligence, for an advance towards Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
The Joe Biden administration has already begun pressuring Ukraine to change the law to enable the mobilization of the youngest adult men. A representative from Washington assessed that this is necessary to address the staffing shortages in the Ukrainian military.
This information was reported last week by the AP agency and the British newspaper "Financial Times." The goal of the current administration, in the final weeks of its term, is to equip Ukraine with the resources to continue its fight into the next year.
A White House official, quoted by AP, believes that while ensuring a supply of weapons, Kyiv must also ensure it has enough soldiers. He noted that Ukraine needs to increase its military personnel by more than 160,000 troops, as mentioned by the Ukrainians.
Similar comments are directed toward Ukraine by other partners. Considering the extension of the front to Kursk Oblast, the Ukrainian foothold on Russian territory may not be sustainable.
Source: rp.pl/Reuters/AP/"Financial Times"
