Zelenskyy: Partners refuse to impose sanctions against Russia over Kyiv's refusal to mobilize youth
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Western leaders explained their refusal to impose sanctions on Russia by the fact that Ukraine does not mobilize young people aged 18-24, says President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Valasz.
“We did not mobilize 18- to 24-year-olds, but offered them one-year contracts. I have never spoken about this before, but since you asked, I will tell you what I think, because it is a sensitive issue: I do not believe that we should mobilize people from the age of 18, as the leaders of other countries have thought,” he said.
According to him, Operation Spiderweb showed that it is not the number of people that matters, but weapons and technology. Sanctions aimed at the money that Russians use to finance the war are also important.
“However, when it comes to sanctions, as Western partners list the reasons why they did not decide to impose them, they include that Ukraine did not mobilize people aged 18 and above,” Zelenskyy said.
The president added that Kyiv gave 18-24-year-olds the opportunity to show that they can serve if our partners want them to. “We have now given them that opportunity, in accordance with our legislation. But in the meantime, thousands are fighting on the front lines without adequate weapons,” Zelenskyy said.
He noted that mobilization is a problem in any war. “Ukraine is no exception, as we want the war to end. People are getting tired. We can mobilize 27,000 people a month, while the Russians can mobilize 40,000 to 50,000 because their losses are greater,” he added.
Mobilization from the age of 18
Zelenskyy repeatedly stated that mobilization from the age of 18 in Ukraine does not make sense because Ukraine lacks the weapons to supply all the brigades that already exist.
In 2025, 18- to 24-year-olds were offered lucrative contracts and large payments in case of service and participation in hostilities.
