Ukraine's Decision to Adopt New Mobilization Law Made Under US Pressure - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian government has decided to boost its mobilization efforts and adopt the new mobilization law under pressure from the administration of US President Joe Biden, which was in parallel trying to convince US lawmakers to pass the new military aid package for Kiev, The New York Times has reported.

James O'Brien, the US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, explained to the Ukrainian authorities during his trip to Kiev earlier this week that mobilization work and new weapons supplies were equally important for ensuring Ukraine's possible successes on the battlefield, the report released on Friday read.

"Ukraine needs to make sure it has the people necessary to fight," O'Brien was quoted by the newspaper as telling a news conference.

Under Washington's ongoing pressure, Kiev is now also pursuing those who have fled the country. Ukraine's diplomatic missions abroad, in particular, halted consular services and the issuance of new passports for military-age nationals earlier this week, the government said.

On April 11, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a bill on mobilization aimed at replenishing Ukrainian forces depleted by two years of military conflict with Russia. On April 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed it into law. The document will take effect on May 18.

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The bill says that people liable for military duty must report to military commissions to clarify their registration data within 60 days after mobilization is announced. The bill also obliges people liable for military service to carry military identity cards with them during the period of mobilization and present them at the request of military registration and enlistment office employees, police, and border guards.

Martial law was introduced in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The next day, Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Under martial law, men aged from 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving Ukraine.