Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to the Hungarian publication Válasz Online, in which he stated that Western partners are not imposing sanctions on Moscow because Ukraine is not mobilizing 18-year-olds, the Russian edition of the BBC wrote.
"I have never spoken about this before, but since you asked me, I will tell you what I think, because this is a sensitive issue: I do not think that we should mobilize people from the age of 18, as the leaders of other countries believe".
Zelensky admitted this after being asked about the problems with mobilization in Ukraine.
"Sanctions can deprive the Russians of money with which to finance the war. But when it comes to sanctions, Western partners, among the reasons why they do not impose them, say, among other things, that Ukraine does not mobilize people from the age of 18," Zelensky said.
The topic of lowering the mobilization age in Ukraine is extremely sensitive.
The US administration under President Biden has repeatedly called on the Ukrainian government to do this.
Some Ukrainian politicians and military personnel also support such a step, arguing that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are experiencing a critical shortage of men at the front, the BBC Ukrainian Service writes.
Officially, Kiev says that it will not lower the age for military mobilization.
Ukrainian legislation provides for the mobilization of servicemen for conscription between the ages of 25 and 60.
Men from 18 to 24 can join the army voluntarily.
Those willing to sign such a contract are offered one million hryvnias and other bonuses, including a mortgage with zero annual interest and university tuition fees.
The average age of the Ukrainian military exceeds 40 years.