Biden urges Ukraine to draft 18 years to fight Russia

The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to lower its military draft age to 18, a move aimed at bolstering the country’s forces to counter Russia’s growing troop advantage. The call comes as Ukraine faces escalating casualties in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

A White House official told the Associated Press on November 28 that reducing the draft age from 25 to 18 is now necessary due to Ukraine’s struggles to replenish its ranks. “It’s pure math,” said the anonymous source, citing insufficient recruitment to replace losses.

National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett did not confirm the specifics of the draft proposal but emphasized the urgency of increasing Ukraine’s manpower. “Manpower is the most vital need,” Savett stated, adding that the US is prepared to ramp up training efforts if Ukraine makes more concerted efforts to recruit.

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This push comes as the US has significantly increased its support for Ukraine, including the recent approval of long-range ATACMS missiles, marking a notable escalation in the conflict. Additionally, reports have emerged of North Korean troops engaging in combat on Russian soil, further complicating the situation.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump, elected again in November, has expressed intentions to quickly end the war upon taking office in January 2025. Despite this, experts remain skeptical about his ability to negotiate with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has framed the war as a “global” conflict, blaming the West for its escalation.