Ukraine Resists U.S. Push to Lower Military Draft Age to 18

As the U.S. pressures Ukraine to expand its conscription pool, Kyiv prioritizes rebuilding efforts and faces demographic and societal challenges.

The U.S. has urged Ukraine to lower its military draft age to 18 to bolster its forces against Russia, but Kyiv has resisted the proposal.
Ukrainian officials argue that younger individuals are critical for the country's post-war reconstruction and should not be over-mobilized for combat roles.
Demographic constraints, including a low birth rate around the early 2000s, have limited the pool of men under 25 available for conscription in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for military aid, training, and strategies to weaken Russia over expanding the draft age range.
Critics within Ukraine cite systemic issues in the military, such as corruption and inadequate leadership, as obstacles to effective mobilization and reform.