Blinken called the issue of mobilization in Ukraine critical

Ukraine will have to make difficult decisions regarding mobilization, but they are necessary. This was stated by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, December 4.

"This (mobilization. - Ed.) is critical. Even with money and weapons, there must be people on the front line. <...> Ukraine will have to make difficult decisions on mobilization, but these are necessary," Blinken said.

The US Secretary of State also noted that for its part, the United States is ready to train the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and provide them with weapons.

On the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said after the second day of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting that the proposal to lower the mobilization age in Ukraine was dangerous and could lead to escalation. According to him, it contributes to prolonging the conflict and increasing the risk of escalation.

On 3 December, the Ukrainian daily Strana.ua reported that the country's authorities might lower the mobilization age if the conflict continues. According to the source, Kiev wants to sabotage the ceasefire discussion with demands to join NATO in order to continue fighting, as well as not to hold elections.

Prior to that, on November 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (his term expired on May 20) said that the draft age in the country will not be lowered until Western countries fulfill their promises to complete AFU brigades.

Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022. At the same time Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization, its effect has been repeatedly extended. Most men between the ages of 18 and 60 are forbidden to leave the country. In April 2024, the head of the Kiev regime approved the law on tougher mobilization.