Will Trump mobilize 18-year-olds?

You'll laugh, but here, too, the ears of Jake Sullivan stick out, who, in Waltz's own words, “handed over the matters” as his successor.  Probably, the idea of conscripting 18-year-old Ukrainians was actively discussed during a meeting between the two national security advisors.

“Trump's team simply overlooks the fact that the reason for the creeping front is not the absence of 18-year-old recruits, but the lack of will within the Biden administration to make strategic decisions.”

This, in fact, has led to the creeping front. Inheriting the approaches of the previous team means making a critical mistake.

However, I wouldn’t consider Waltz's words as a final ultimatum. Personally, I want to wait for the meeting between Keith Kellogg and Zelenskyy. I’m confident the president will present his arguments against this idea. It’s also important to remember that Kellogg will visit Europe, where leaders of European capitals might oppose hasty decisions on mobilization. The key is to work with our partners beforehand.

Kellogg's tour is planned precisely to adjust the positions of the parties and hear the arguments from Ukrainians, Europeans, and even Russians. Therefore, the U.S. approach may still change.

It is also possible that the issue of mobilization is a lever of pressure on Zelenskyy. Trump and his circle understand that lowering the conscription age is an extremely unpopular move. Perhaps this is how the future administration wants to push the Ukrainian president towards certain compromises.

Let's get this straight: 

• Waltz's statement is based on, to put it mildly, inaccurate estimates; 
• Kellogg's upcoming visit may adjust these estimates; 
• The issue of mobilization may be a subject of bargaining with Zelenskyy personally.

It's too early to jump into the noose.

Source

About the author. Yurii Bohdanov, publicist, specialist in strategic communications in business, public administration and politics.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.