**Ukraine Must Make Tough Decisions About Mobilization**
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukraine has “hard decisions” to make about further mobilizing its military to fight Russia’s war. He made these comments at a press conference in Brussels on December 4.
Blinken stressed that mobilization is crucial for Ukraine, and that the US will support it with training and equipment. However, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has refused Washington’s appeals to lower the minimum age of those called up from 25 to 18.
**Zelensky Dismisses Pressure From Allies**
President Zelensky said that Western partners are not doing enough to help Ukraine. He claimed that only enough aid was provided to equip two and a half out of ten Ukrainian brigades that had requested support. This has led him to question the feasibility of mobilizing young soldiers.
Zelensky argued that if Ukraine were to lower its minimum age, it would be difficult for new recruits to know where they would be sent or what equipment they would use. He claimed that this would lead to confusion and disorganization among Ukrainian forces.
**Ukraine Denies Tension With Allies**
Despite Zelensky’s comments, the Ukrainian government said that there is no tension with its allies over mobilization. The country has been discussing its strategy with partners, but it remains committed to making its own decisions about military matters.
The mobilization of Ukraine’s military has been slow since autumn due to a lack of funding and equipment. This has left many front-line units undermanned as they face a larger number of Russian troops.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com