Ukraine’s justice minister reacts to claims country must conscript 18-year-olds

Source: Radio Svoboda

Ukraine’s justice minister Olha Stefanyshyna revealed that EU officials tried to feel out if Ukraine is ready to lower the conscription age to 18 during their recent meetings as Brussels wants more clarity on the controversial issue.

Stefanishyna said, “We can’t accept this criticism because it ignores the fact that there is no system in place for planning, training, and equipping our brigades.’

Stefanishyna strongly rejected calls to lower the mobilization age, calling such demands an “unacceptable stance.”

The minister stressed that Kyiv that having troops equipped is far more pressing issue.

“The EU has a major role to play in the training of Ukrainian forces… The potential here is significant; the real issue is planning. With proper planning and equipping, there will be no reason for such discussions about mobilization,” she explained.