The USA Ready to Train and Arm New AFU Soldiers If Ukraine Changes Conscription Policy — US Department of State

The United States is ready to take over the training of new Ukrainian soldiers and provide them with the necessary weapons if Ukraine changes its mobilization policy. This was announced by the speaker of the US Department of State Matthew Miller during a meeting with journalists, reports IStories’ correspondent. 

“I know that Ukraine is considering increasing the number of soldiers, because there is a real shortage of them on the front. And so I will leave it to them to talk about what new policies they might introduce in the coming months. 

I know there are some legislation changes that need to be made. And we have made it clear that once they bring in new fighters, whether it is through the draft, whether it is through incentive programs, whether it is through something else, we're prepared to train and arm those troops so that they do not go into battle empty-handed.

There are things we can do to help Ukraine on the battlefield. There are things that Ukraine needs to do to help itself. And what we can do is arm them and train them. But only Ukraine can increase the number of soldiers. And we have spoken to them repeatedly about this need. They know they need more soldiers on the front lines. 

Obviously, this is a very difficult political issue for them. If you look at the demographics of the country, the idea of changing the draft age, I know, is controversial and difficult. And they have talked about other ways to increase the recruitment of soldiers both inside Ukraine and among Ukrainians who live outside the country,” Miller said. 

The US Department of State speaker said that the task of the United States and Ukraine’s other allies now is to strengthen the AFU so that Kiev can conduct potential negotiations “from the strongest possible position” and define their parameters. 

• In late November, the Associated Press news agency quoted a source as saying that the administration of US President Joe Biden was urging Ukraine to lower the mobilization age to 18. According to the Washington Post, the White House is “disappointed” with the Ukrainian leadership, which refuses to take this step.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has no plans to lower the mobilization age. According to Zelensky’s adviser Dmytro Litvin, there is “no point in doing so — as the country is not receiving the promised weapons from partners in a timely manner.”

• Now Ukrainians from the age of 25 to 60 are subject to mobilization. Six months ago, the lower limit was lowered from 27 to 25 years of age.