A senior US official has urged Ukraine to lower the age of military service to 18, as Russia continues to make advances in the country. The official stated that Ukraine is not mobilizing or training enough new soldiers to replace those killed in action and that increased manpower is needed on the battlefield. However, a source from President Zelenskyy’s office stated that the country lacks the resources to equip current troops and cannot compensate for delays in decision-making and supply chains with the lives of soldiers.
President Biden is reportedly preparing a $725 million weapons package for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The package includes various weapons such as antitank mines, drones, Stinger missiles, cluster munitions, and ammunition for rocket systems. The exact contents and size of the package could change before formal notification to Congress.
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador warned that any decision by the Trump administration to cut support for Ukraine would be a “death sentence” for the Ukrainian army. Russian forces are said to be advancing in Ukraine at a rapid pace, with analysts noting the capture of an area half the size of London in the past month.
Trump, who campaigned on winding down the Ukraine war, has appointed Keith Kellogg as his new special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Kellogg’s plan involves freezing battle lines and pushing for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskyy has emphasized that any ceasefire discussions must include security guarantees from Western partners to benefit Ukraine.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
