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Ukraine has to make tough decision on mobilization — US secretary of state

Antony Blinken said that United States is committed to do its best to train Kiev's soldiers and provide them with weapons

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

© AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool

BRUSSELS, December 5. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the issue of mobilization was of critical importance for Ukraine, and the Kiev government has to make tough decisions.

"Mobilization. This is critical, because even with the money, even with the munitions, there have to be people on the front lines," he told reporters in Brussels. "Ukraine has hard decisions to make about further mobilization, but these are necessary decisions."

He added that the United States is committed to do its best to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide them with weapons.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in late November the United States was ready to expand training opportunities for the Ukrainian armed forces if Kiev takes measures to address the manpower shortage. Kirby also confirmed that the US still intends to supply Ukraine with ammunition and weapons.

General mobilization in Ukraine was announced in February 2022 and has been extended several times since then. On May 18, 2024, the law on toughening mobilization came into force in the country. Nevertheless, in recent months, the pace of replenishment of the Ukrainian armed forces has slowed down and the issue of critical shortage of manpower in the army has arisen. In this regard, employees of territorial recruitment centers began to carry out forced mobilizations more often. Against this background, spontaneous protests of the population against the actions of military officers have become more frequent.

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Ukraine crisis Ukraine United States

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