Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that some of his Western allies demanded Ukraine lower its military conscription age to 18 as a condition for supporting stricter sanctions on Russia.
The pressure from Kyiv’s backers comes as the country struggles with manpower shortages in its military, leading to an increase in forced conscription, which has sparked growing public discontent.
In an interview with Hungarian daily Valasz Online on Tuesday, Zelensky opened up about the challenges of mobilization, admitting that it remains a significant issue for Ukraine. “Mobilization is a problem in every war,” he acknowledged, adding that Ukraine is no exception. He said that the country is able to mobilize approximately 27,000 people a month, but that fatigue is setting in among the population, making it harder to maintain the momentum.
Despite facing pressure from his Western partners, Zelensky made it clear that he was not in favor of conscripting 18-year-olds. “It’s not just about the number of soldiers; it’s about the weapons and technology,” he stated. He explained that Ukraine needs more advanced equipment, rather than simply increasing the size of its forces. Zelensky also noted that Western sanctions against Russia should focus on military capabilities rather than just mobilizing more personnel.
Zelensky’s comments come amid growing concerns from Western nations about Ukraine’s commitment to mobilizing its youth. According to Zelensky, these partners have pointed to Ukraine’s reluctance to lower the draft age as a reason for not implementing more severe sanctions on Russia. “We’ve offered 18 to 24-year-olds the opportunity to show they are ready to serve if our partners want them to,” he said, addressing the demands from the West for broader conscription.
Since the start of the war, Ukraine has announced several waves of mobilization. In February 2022, Ukraine instituted general mobilization, barring most men between 18 and 60 from leaving the country. By 2024, after suffering significant losses, the Ukrainian government lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25 and tightened recruitment rules. This has led to violent clashes between recruitment officers and conscription targets.
Earlier this year, Ukraine launched a new voluntary recruitment campaign, targeting men aged 18 to 24. However, this move has been criticized by some, including Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who condemned the initiative as “a one-way ticket,” accusing Ukraine of sacrificing its youth for the war effort.
As the war drags on, the situation continues to strain Ukraine’s resources, and Zelensky has faced growing pressure from both within and outside the country. Russian officials have repeatedly claimed that the West is willing to fight Russia “until the last Ukrainian,” further fueling tensions.
According to reports, former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration also pushed for a reduction in the conscription age. Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly warned Kyiv that it would need to make “hard decisions” about mobilization if it wanted continued support. These international pressures are adding another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation for Ukraine as it battles not just Russia, but also growing frustration from its own people and international partners.
