U.S. lawmakers from both parties are reportedly putting pressure on Zelensky to lower the draft age to 18 to 25._1

On October 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Germany and held a press conference at the Chancellor’s Office in Berlin. Recent reports from Ukrainian media indicate that U.S. lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties are pressuring President Zelensky to lower the mandatory conscription age, allowing young men aged 18 to 25 to be mobilized. However, Zelensky has reportedly resisted this push.

In a statement on the social media platform Telegram, Serhii Leshchenko, an advisor in the Presidential Office, confirmed that discussions have emerged regarding this issue. “If this information has surfaced, I can verify that bipartisan U.S. lawmakers are urging President Zelensky to explain why Ukraine has not mobilized those aged 18 to 25,” he stated.

Leshchenko further remarked, “Our partners believe that when the U.S. was fighting in Vietnam, people were drafted at 19. This is why American officials are suggesting that Western weapons alone are insufficient, and mobilization starting at age 18 is essential.”

He emphasized that “President Zelensky has not yielded,” as he continues to advocate for bipartisan support without changing the conscription age in order to secure additional weaponry.

Additionally, the Ukrainian Truth reported that Roman Kostenko, a member of the Voice party, mentioned that the Ukrainian parliament is currently discussing the possibility of lowering the mobilization age to between 18 and 20 years old.