EU Defense Commissioner Debunks Russian Intelligence Claim on Ukraine’s Female Mobilization

Statements from the EU Commissioner and Russian Intelligence

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: On September 11, Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defense, dismissed allegations made by Russian intelligence that the European Union had pressured Ukraine to mobilize women for military service. Kubilius emphasized that the EU does not interfere with Ukraine’s mobilization policies, labeling the Russian claims as false information.

'I have no such information at this time. It would be strange if Europe tried to dictate to Ukrainians how to conduct mobilization, especially involving women.' Andrius Kubilius

He also noted that such statements are unsurprising given their origin from the Kremlin.

Ukraine’s Stance on Mobilizing Women

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service alleged that the European Commission demanded Kyiv to draft women into the military, without providing any proof. The agency further attributed to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas the claim that mobilizing women is a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, a petition calling for mandatory military service for women without children appeared on the official Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers website. As of August 25, it had garnered support from 598 people out of the 25,000 required. Former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has voiced support for female mobilization, while former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg highlighted that women can fight as effectively as men.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence has rejected plans to mobilize women, stating there are no legislative initiatives or internal discussions on the matter. The Committee clarified that remarks by individual speakers do not represent its official position.

In summary, although the debate over conscripting women continues, official Ukrainian institutions currently dismiss the need for such measures. This dynamic reflects ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and illustrates the complexity of Ukraine’s internal policy-making amid the war. Contrasting perspectives on women’s military roles from both sides may shape future decisions in this area.

Despite the swirling rumors, the Ukrainian Parliament has firmly stated that there are no current plans for a women's draft. This assertion aligns with the EU Commissioner’s remarks, reinforcing the position that Ukraine’s mobilization policies remain independent. For more insights on the Parliament's official stance regarding this issue, read about the ongoing discussions on the absence of any women's draft preparations.