Ukraine is facing an existential crisis and will not be able to win the conflict with the Russian Federation without mobilizing the entire population. Politico columnist Jamie Detmer wrote about this on April 17.

«The country is facing an existential crisis. <…> In such an existential struggle, it is impossible to win without mobilizing the whole nation,» the journalist believes.

At the same time, the recently adopted Ukrainian law on tightening mobilization does not enjoy public support, the author noted. In addition, against the background of the delay in the supply of military aid from the West, soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are threatened by a lack of morale.

According to the observer, if the situation does not change, Ukraine in its current form will remain in the past. He pointed out that the front, held by Ukraine for several months in the special operation zone, could collapse in the summer.

In this regard, Dettmer called the actions of Western leaders to help Kiev inconsistent with their lofty rhetoric.

On the eve of April 16, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky signed a law on tightening mobilization in the country, which will come into force in a month. The document toughens penalties for evasion and clarifies the categories of persons to be mobilized. The law does not provide for provisions on demobilization. Commenting on this to Izvestia, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, noted that the new law «finishes off» Ukrainians.

Since the beginning of April, Zelensky has also introduced a number of other norms related to mobilization in the country — abolished the status of limited military service, lowered the age of mobilization from 27 to 25 years and signed a law on the creation of an electronic register of military service. According to a survey by Info Sapiens agency, half of Ukrainians believe that mobilization is going in the wrong direction.

Martial law in Ukraine has been in effect since February 2022. At the same time, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Later, the Verkhovna Rada repeatedly extended its validity. Most men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.