The U.S. is pressuring Zelensky to lower the conscription age to 18

Western partners are insisting that Ukraine lower the age of conscription.

This was reported by Maria Ionova, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the “European Solidarity” party.

“Regarding mobilization and our partners, they are insisting that the conscription age be lowered,” she stated.

Her words were confirmed by the Office of the President of Ukraine. As noted by Serhiy Leshchenko, an adviser to the President’s Office, on his Telegram channel, Washington is pressuring President Volodymyr Zelensky to lower the conscription age to 18, with American politicians from both parties urging this move.

“The partners’ argument is as follows: during the U.S. war in Vietnam, conscription started at 19. Therefore, the Americans are hinting that Western weapons alone are not enough, and conscription from the age of 18 is necessary. President Zelensky has not yielded to this pressure and continues to persuade politicians from both parties to provide weapons without changing the conscription age,” Leshchenko wrote.

Earlier, MP Roman Kostenko also mentioned that some American officials are calling on Ukraine to lower the conscription age, and the Ukrainian government may have to do so if Russia launches a new wave of mobilization.

Yesterday, journalist Vitaliy Portnikov said that if the war lasts another two years, the conscription age will be lowered, and if it lasts five years, women will be mobilized.