Ukraine's Lawmakers Rebuff Mobilization Bill, Send it to Government For Further Revision

Ukraine's parliament declined to discuss a contentious bill aimed at increasing military conscription on Thursday, citing strong opposition from both legislators and the public.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously cautioned that the military sought to mobilize around 500,000 individuals to counter the approximately 600,000 Russian soldiers stationed in Ukraine.

The bill, put forth by the government in December, proposed stricter penalties for draft evasion and a reduction in the age of mandatory military service from 27 to 25.

Although it aimed to limit compulsory wartime service to 36 months, the proposed changes generated significant discord in a nation wearied by prolonged conflict.

The draft law also introduces summons by email and by employer. Currently, conscripts can be summoned by letter, by a TRC representative, or by a police officer.

Important reasons for failure to appear at a summons include being blocked by bad weather, falling ill, or the death of a close relative.

Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 60 would need to carry a military registration document around with them and present it to a TRC representative or police officer if requested, who could then take photos of the document and verify it.

"Some provisions directly violate human rights, some are not optimally formulated," ruling party leader David Arakhamia remarked after a closed-door meeting with Ukraine's military leaders.

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