A senior U.S. administration official stated on Wednesday that Ukraine should contemplate reducing the military service age to 18 years. This recommendation aims to encourage Kyiv to strengthen its military forces amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

During a press briefing, the official expressed concerns that Ukraine is not adequately mobilizing or training sufficient new soldiers for the war effort.

“The current priority is manpower,” he noted. “The Russians are indeed making steady advancements in the east and are starting to push back Ukrainian positions in Kursk. Increased mobilization and additional personnel could have a substantial impact on the current battlefield situation.”