The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing unnamed sources within the Ukrainian government, that Kiev was pressured by the administration of US President Joe Biden to boost Ukraine's mobilization efforts and adopt new laws related to military recruitment and conscription.

The measure was intended to convince US lawmakers to vote for a new aid package for Kiev, the latest estimated to amount $61 billion, the report notes. 

The report quoted James O'Brien, the US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, as saying: "Ukraine needs to make sure it has the people necessary to fight."

Under pressure from Washington, Ukraine has also taken steps to track down individuals who have fled the country, halting consular services and passport issuance for military-aged nationals abroad.

Mobilization law

The Ukrainian parliament passed a bill on mobilization on April 11 to replenish the depleted Ukrainian forces after two years of conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the bill into law on April 16, and it is due to come into effect on May 18.

The legislation mandates that individuals liable for military duty report to military commissions to update their registration information within a specified timeframe.

It also requires them to carry military identity cards during mobilization and present them when requested by relevant authorities.

Effective?

Whether the bill proves effective in bolstering the army is up for debate. While the law comes into effect in May, the crucial deadline is mid-July, by which all liable individuals must update their information with the military authorities. 

Non-compliance could lead to fines or license revocation, but it is unlikely that these penalties will be sufficient as incentives. The law grants police the authority to detain those not compliant, conditions that could potentially fuel corrupt practices.

According to an analysis by the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel MediaKiller, many are expected to seek exemptions or resort to disappearing from state records altogether. This could leave hundreds of thousands or even millions outside the legal framework. 

But the law's impact on mobilization remains questionable given the widespread reluctance to engage in conflict.

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