Umerov comments on statements about US pressure on mobilization since age of 18

Western partners of Ukraine have questions about the mobilization of 18-25 year olds.

This was stated by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov at a briefing, Radio Svoboda writes.

According to him, there are sometimes discussions on this issue, because Ukraine's partners "want to understand why we don't mobilize people from 18 to 25".

Umerov stated that the Ukrainian authorities explained that this was the condition of the Verkhovna Rada, which allowed the government to mobilize people from 25 to 60 years of age.

To the question of whether decisions on mobilization can change, the head of the Ministry of Defense answered: "We always want to give people a choice, so that they can choose for themselves. Now, as we say, we work in accordance with all the norms of the law. The law clearly defines, from 25 and above. If there is a desire for someone to come and serve their people, we are always happy."

Commenting on the statement of the adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Serhii Leshchenko, that American politicians from both parties are putting pressure on the President of Ukraine Zelenskyy on the question of why there is no mobilization of those aged 18 to 25 in Ukraine, Umerov said:

"First: there were no discussions about mobilization. Second: we do not comment on rumors. Third: when I am asked about mobilization, I say that we passed a law together with the parliament, which clearly explains how a person enters the perimeter, how he becomes a conscript, how he trains, how he leaves the perimeter," the minister said.