**US Officials Frustrated with Ukraine’s Leadership**
The outgoing Biden administration is making a final push to send aid to Ukraine as President-elect Trump prepares to take office. However, some officials are unhappy with the way Ukraine’s leadership manages the war.
According to the Washington Post, several unnamed US officials expressed frustration with Ukraine’s leaders. They feel that Kyiv‘s military will remain outmatched without more soldiers to sustain its fight. These officials also criticized Ukraine for resisting US calls to lower the country’s draft age from 25 to 18.
One official stated that while Ukraine has made progress in closing the munitions gap with Russia, the manpower situation is critical. “It’s just a question of math and physics,” they said. However, it’s unclear how much aid has actually reached the frontline, as President Zelenskyy recently reported that only 10% of allocated aid had been delivered.
**Disagreement Over Draft Age**
President Zelenskyy responded to US calls to lower the draft age by saying that Ukraine cannot afford to lose more young men on the front line. He argued that the country should not have to compensate for delays in logistics or hesitation in support with its youth.
The draft age was previously lowered from 27 to 25, but Ukraine’s leaders have so far refused to make it lower. This disagreement has led to frustration among US officials who feel that more young men are needed on the front line to counter Russian forces.
**Recent Attack**
Just weeks ago, eight Russian-guided aerial bombs struck residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, causing significant casualties and damage. The attack highlighted the ongoing struggle between Ukraine and Russia, and the need for effective aid and support from other countries.