Biden Urging Ukraine to Send Teenagers to War, Reports AP
The Biden administration is reportedly advising Ukraine to reduce its conscription age to 18. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The outgoing White House team is reportedly urging Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to reconsider his stance on conscripting the nation’s youth, aiming to increase military personnel amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
According to a Wednesday report from the Associated Press, President Joe Biden’s administration is advocating for a reduction of the conscription age to 18. A senior US official, who requested anonymity, shared with the news agency that this shift is crucial for enhancing Kyiv's military capabilities.
Zelensky has made prior commitments not to mandate enlistment from Ukraine's youngest adult males. The official emphasized, “The pure math is that Ukraine needs more troops. We are talking about increasing the pool of fighting-age men to sustain the fight.”
Currently, the minimum conscription age in Ukraine is set at 25. The Biden administration believes that lowering this age to 18 is vital for addressing the pressing demand for soldiers. Reports indicate that Ukraine has expressed a need for at least an additional 160,000 troops, while US estimates suggest that even this figure may fall short.
Over a million Ukrainians are already in uniform, including those in the National Guard and various units. Nevertheless, American officials have cautioned that the existing manpower may not suffice against the escalating military pressure from Russia, especially in contested areas like the Kursk border region, where Ukraine initiated an incursion earlier this year.
Since the onset of Russia's offensive in February 2022, the Biden administration has allocated more than $56 billion in aid to Ukraine. However, the senior official indicated that while Ukraine possesses the necessary weaponry, the immediate focus should be on boosting troop numbers. “The administration is sharpening its viewpoint,” they added. “It’s about getting the numbers up. The weapons are there, but Ukraine’s troop levels need to match the scale of the challenge.”
This call for increased soldiers emerges as Kyiv grapples with internal divisions among its West European allies. Countries like Germany, France, and Britain are reportedly at odds regarding long-range strikes into Russia, while others, including Slovakia and Hungary, advocate for peace negotiations. The White House is particularly worried about the strain on Ukraine's military as it seeks to maintain control over Russian-occupied territories and counter Moscow's advances.
Despite the sensitivity surrounding the issue of adjusting the conscription age, the official noted that it may be necessary for Ukraine to remain competitive against Russia's significantly larger resources. “Ukraine needs more boots on the ground…We’re talking about the survival of the country, and the numbers just aren’t there yet,” the official stated.
Incoming US President Donald Trump has vowed to seek a swift resolution to the conflict once he assumes office.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to a Wednesday report from the Associated Press, President Joe Biden’s administration is advocating for a reduction of the conscription age to 18. A senior US official, who requested anonymity, shared with the news agency that this shift is crucial for enhancing Kyiv's military capabilities.
Zelensky has made prior commitments not to mandate enlistment from Ukraine's youngest adult males. The official emphasized, “The pure math is that Ukraine needs more troops. We are talking about increasing the pool of fighting-age men to sustain the fight.”
Currently, the minimum conscription age in Ukraine is set at 25. The Biden administration believes that lowering this age to 18 is vital for addressing the pressing demand for soldiers. Reports indicate that Ukraine has expressed a need for at least an additional 160,000 troops, while US estimates suggest that even this figure may fall short.
Over a million Ukrainians are already in uniform, including those in the National Guard and various units. Nevertheless, American officials have cautioned that the existing manpower may not suffice against the escalating military pressure from Russia, especially in contested areas like the Kursk border region, where Ukraine initiated an incursion earlier this year.
Since the onset of Russia's offensive in February 2022, the Biden administration has allocated more than $56 billion in aid to Ukraine. However, the senior official indicated that while Ukraine possesses the necessary weaponry, the immediate focus should be on boosting troop numbers. “The administration is sharpening its viewpoint,” they added. “It’s about getting the numbers up. The weapons are there, but Ukraine’s troop levels need to match the scale of the challenge.”
This call for increased soldiers emerges as Kyiv grapples with internal divisions among its West European allies. Countries like Germany, France, and Britain are reportedly at odds regarding long-range strikes into Russia, while others, including Slovakia and Hungary, advocate for peace negotiations. The White House is particularly worried about the strain on Ukraine's military as it seeks to maintain control over Russian-occupied territories and counter Moscow's advances.
Despite the sensitivity surrounding the issue of adjusting the conscription age, the official noted that it may be necessary for Ukraine to remain competitive against Russia's significantly larger resources. “Ukraine needs more boots on the ground…We’re talking about the survival of the country, and the numbers just aren’t there yet,” the official stated.
Incoming US President Donald Trump has vowed to seek a swift resolution to the conflict once he assumes office.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
