Foreign Minister Blinken Says Ukraine Needs To Recruit Young Generation To Win War With Russia

Ukrainian military. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukraine needs to recruit a young generation to join the military to win Russia's war, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Blinken's comments reflect a growing view among Western officials that Kyiv desperately needs more human resources as well as money and ammunition to reverse Russia's progress on the battlefield. Currently, the deployment of military service in Ukraine begins at the age of 25.

"This is a very difficult decision, and I fully understand and respect it," Blinken said in an interview with Reuters at NATO headquarters, Brussels, after attending a two-day meeting of military alliance foreign ministers.

"But for example, involving young people in fighting, we think, many of us think, that's necessary. Currently, people aged 18 to 25 years don't participate in fighting," he added.

Foreign Minister Blinken said it was up to Ukrainian authorities to decide the best way, regarding the involvement of young people in combat.

It is known that Ukrainian allies have long avoided raising the issue to the public, given its political sensitivity. However, Foreign Minister Blinken's comments suggest they now hope public pressure will see Kyiv reconsider his refusal to mobilize young people.

The issue has become more acute with the future of uncertain US support for Ukraine, while Kyiv is waiting for President-elect Donald Trump to outline his policies on the war.

Meanwhile, without mentioning certain age groups, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte voiced the same view.

"Of course, we also have to make sure that quite a lot of people are available in Ukraine," Rutte told reporters. "We may need more people to move to the front lines," he said.

Separately, some Ukrainian military officials admitted personally the shortage of personnel was severe, but Kyiv has rejected calls to expand its mobilization campaign, saying its weapons were insufficient to equip its already-owned troops.

Foreign Minister Blinken said Kyiv allies would ensure all mobilized receive the necessary training and equipment.

"The commitment we have as an alliance and as a country that supports Ukraine is to ensure that for every force they mobilize, we will provide training, we will provide equipment," he said.

It is known, Russia is also experiencing a shortage of personnel amid the conflict that has been going on since 2022. Moscow covered losses by relying on recruitment from provinces outside Moscow.

After months of negotiations, Ukraine expanded its mobilization efforts in April, making it more efficient and reducing the age of summons to 25 from 27.

President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said he had no plans to reduce the age of further mobilization. Ukrainian authorities want to protect their young men from further demographic destruction, as well as help rebuild the country after the war.

Thousands of Ukrainians have signed up to defend their country after the Russian invasion in 2022.

On the other hand, some Ukrainian troops have been fighting since before the invasion and have no choice to be demobilized under current law.

Some have fled Ukraine and the whereabouts of others are unknown.