Ukraine Introduces Special One-Year Military Contract for 18-24-Year-Olds, Says Zelenskyy

Ukraine is developing a special one-year military contract aimed at attracting young individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to join the Armed Forces.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the initiative in an interview with Reuters, emphasizing that it is not a mobilization effort but an option for those willing to enlist voluntarily.

According to Zelenskyy, the Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with experienced combat brigades, is working on the details of this contract, which is expected to offer significant financial incentives and benefits.

“This contract is designed for those who want to join. It is not a mobilization,” Zelenskyy stated. “It will include numerous benefits and a highly competitive financial package.”

The president confirmed that more details about the initiative would be released in the coming days.

The move aligns with ongoing military recruitment reforms. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa previously stated that a recruitment reform targeting individuals aged 18-25 is in its final stages. The initiative aims to provide a transparent and structured enlistment process, including financial incentives and professional training guarantees.

In November 2024, Zelenskyy presented a ten-point resilience plan to the Verkhovna Rada, which included restructuring military service management. One of the proposed measures involved introducing new contractual options for individuals below the mobilization age.

The Ukrainian government has reaffirmed that current legislation sets the minimum conscription age at 25, and there are no plans to lower it.

Earlier, Ukraine resisted calls from US officials to lower the mobilization age to 18, instead focusing on voluntary recruitment and military reform. President Zelenskyy emphasized that the country needs more weapons rather than more soldiers, arguing that conscripting younger individuals without adequate equipment would be ineffective.