A senior US official has expressed concerns that Ukraine is not mobilizing or training enough new soldiers to replace those killed in action, as Russia continues to make advances in Ukraine. The official suggested that Ukraine should lower the age of military service to 18 to increase manpower on the battlefield. While Ukrainian forces reportedly have sufficient weapons and ammunition, they lack the necessary troops to rotate out for rest and training.
Despite efforts to mobilize troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office noted that there is a shortage of equipment, such as armored vehicles, to support all the troops being called up. This shortage may hamper efforts to strengthen the military in the face of Russian aggression. The US is reportedly preparing a new weapons package worth $725 million to bolster Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
There is uncertainty about how Trump’s presidency may impact the war effort in Ukraine, as he has criticized Western aid to Kyiv in the past. Russian forces are reportedly advancing rapidly in Ukraine, capturing a significant amount of territory over the past month. Trump has appointed a new special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, who has proposed freezing battle lines and engaging in negotiations with Moscow.
Zelenskyy has warned that any ceasefire discussions without security guarantees from Western partners may work in Russia’s favor. The situation in Ukraine remains precarious as Russia continues to make gains, and the need for increased manpower and military support is critical in the face of ongoing conflict.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
