US Urges Ukraine to Lower Draft Age Amid War

The Biden administration is pressing Ukraine to lower its military conscription age from 25 to 18 to address manpower shortages as the war with Russia nears its third year. The U.S. has provided over $56 billion in security assistance and plans more aid before Biden leaves office. The administration believes Ukraine needs more than the 160,000 additional troops it currently estimates, as significant personnel challenges persist, exacerbated by Russian advances in the east. European allies have also raised concerns about Ukraine's troop levels, indicating that manpower shortages, not arms, are becoming critical. The situation is particularly dire in regions like Kursk, where Ukrainian forces are struggling against Russian progress.