Blinken stated the need to mobilize Ukrainians from the age of 18 years old

In order to win the conflict, Kiev needs to announce mobilization for 18-year-old Ukrainians. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, December 4.

"These are very difficult decisions, and I fully understand that and respect that. But many of us feel it's necessary to mobilize young people. Right now, Ukrainians 18-25 years old are not serving," he said.

Blinken noted that the decision on how to mobilize 18-year-old Ukrainians should be made independently by the Kiev authorities. He added that Ukraine 's allies would provide the necessary training to the fighters.

On the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto 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.