Ukraine could use the opportunity to draft young people into military service from the age of 18-19. It should also more actively involve women and refugees who can help Ukraine fight.
Former commander of US forces in Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, told hromadske on Thursday, December 5.
Hodges said he respects Ukraine's choice to protect its youth from war, but soldiers are needed to protect them. According to him, recruits should undergo proper training and receive appropriate equipment, and the government should do everything in its power to do so.
"There are enough people in Ukraine, but not enough soldiers on the front. Frankly, when I first heard a few years ago that Ukraine was not mobilizing young people to fight russian aggression, I was surprised. In my opinion, the draft age in Ukraine is too high. In most countries in the world, you can enter military service at the age of 18 or 19. Ukraine could also use this opportunity," Hodges said.
In addition, women should be more actively involved in military service, and it is also wrong that many Ukrainians who could defend the country are abroad, Hodges noted.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, some representatives of the administration of US President Joe Biden believe that Ukraine should lower the mobilization age from 25 to 18.
On October 18, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there will be no lowering of the mobilization age to 25 in Ukraine.
On October 15, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office, Serhii Leshchenko, reported that Zelenskyy was under pressure from American politicians to lower the draft age and mobilize 18-year-olds.
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