A senior U.S. administration official has called on Ukraine to reduce its minimum military service age from 25 to 18, emphasizing the urgent need for additional troops as Russian forces continue to make significant gains in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the official expressed concerns about Ukraine’s ability to replenish its military losses, pointing out that current recruitment and training efforts are not sufficient to maintain the fight.

“The critical need right now is manpower,” the official stated, noting that Russian forces are making steady advances in the eastern region and have begun to push back Ukrainian lines near Kursk. “Mobilization and additional manpower could make a significant impact on the battlefield today.”

Analysts and war bloggers report that Russian forces are achieving their fastest territorial gains since the early months of the invasion in 2022, capturing areas in the past month roughly equivalent to half the size of London.

Earlier this year, in April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation lowering the mobilization age from 27 to 25 to expand the pool of eligible recruits under martial law. However, U.S. officials contend that further reductions are necessary to address the immediate shortage of personnel.

The proposal to lower the recruitment age has created political challenges for Zelenskyy’s government. A source from the president’s office revealed that Ukraine is already struggling to equip its current mobilized forces, citing shortages of armored vehicles and other essential supplies.

“We cannot compensate for delays in our partners’ decision-making and supply chains with the lives of our soldiers, especially our youngest troops,” the source commented.

Germany is also reportedly supporting calls for a reduction in the conscription age, with a German defense ministry source confirming that Berlin has encouraged Kyiv to consider this move. At the same time, Ukraine is exploring voluntary recruitment efforts with incentives to encourage younger citizens to enlist.

While the Biden administration remains committed to providing Ukraine with extensive military aid, including artillery rounds, rockets, vehicles, and air defense systems, U.S. officials have made it clear that shortages of ammunition and equipment are not the primary concern. “Ukraine now has healthy stockpiles of the vital tools, munitions, and weapons needed for success on the battlefield,” the U.S. official explained. “The real issue is that, without a steady flow of new troops, existing units cannot rotate out to rest, train, and re-equip.”

This push for greater Ukrainian mobilization comes as the geopolitical landscape shifts with the impending inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in January. Trump has hinted at potential changes in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, appointing retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as a special envoy to explore a resolution to the conflict.

With Russian forces advancing and mounting pressures on the home front, Ukraine faces difficult decisions on how to sustain its defense while managing the human and political costs of expanding its military mobilization.