Zelenskyy: Focus should be on army's technology, not soldiers' age
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine has heard signals from its partners about lowering the draft age. However, the focus should be on the technological capabilities of the army, not the age of the soldiers, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Le Parisien.
"In Ukraine, the draft age starts at 25. Some leaders have suggested lowering it, but I believe that’s not a fair discussion at this point. I've said this both publicly and privately to leaders. It's not fair. Modern warfare is different," Zelenskyy explained.
He emphasized that contemporary warfare involves not just "sitting in trenches" but also using drones, artillery, long-range weapons, and aviation.
"How can we assault and advance without the protection of the sky? Leaders know this. Such suggestions are more about political games. Yes, younger individuals are physically stronger. But for me, it is very important to save the lives of our people, to save the lives of our youth. That’s why it is very important to pay attention to the technological capabilities of the army, not the age of the soldier," Zelenskyy said.
What preceded it
The topic of lowering the draft age has been discussed for several months. In October, the Presidential Office stated that the United States had offered to lower the age to 18, but Ukraine refused.
The Washington Post reported on the US's alleged disappointment with Ukraine's refusal and a possible compromise - lowering the draft age to 20.
In a commentary to RBC-Ukraine, Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the Verkhovna Rada's National Security Committee, also answered whether Ukraine plans to lower the draft age.
Zelenskyy has already stated that Ukraine should not compensate for the lack of equipment and training with younger soldiers. It's important to focus on providing the existing brigades.
Read about the origins of talks about mobilization from the age of 18 and whether the age limit for mobilization can be lowered in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
