Amid ongoing tensions with the United States over a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia is preparing for a new military recruitment drive. The latest initiative aims to add 160,000 new soldiers to the Russian armed forces.
According to a report by CNN, citing Russia’s largest news agency TASS, President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree authorizing this recruitment. The process will take place across various regions of Russia from Tuesday until July 15. The primary target is to enlist at least 160,000 individuals aged between 18 and 30 who meet the minimum qualifications for combat service.
Russia’s Military Recruitment History
This is not the first time Putin has issued a decree for military mobilization. In 2022, a few months after the war began, Russia conducted its first major troop recruitment, enlisting over 15,000 new soldiers. Another recruitment drive took place in the spring of 2024, bringing in 25,000 additional troops.
However, the current mobilization is significant for two reasons. First, it is being considered Russia’s largest military mobilization since World War II. Second, it follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to end the war.
Ceasefire Talks and Tensions with the U.S.
Since taking office on January 20, President Trump has prioritized ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He initiated ceasefire discussions, including a major meeting in Riyadh involving officials from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. However, Russia recently rejected Trump’s ceasefire proposal, stating that it failed to address the key issues that led to the conflict.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump expressed frustration over Putin’s rejection of the ceasefire plan. This response indicated that negotiations for ending the war were now uncertain.
Background of the Russia-Ukraine War
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war on February 24, 2022, following years of political tensions. One of the key disputes was Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO and its refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, despite the 2015 Minsk Agreement.
Since the war began, Russia has taken control of four Ukrainian provinces: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, which together account for one-fifth of Ukraine’s total land area. Russia has stated that it would agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine officially recognizes these territories as Russian. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused any negotiations with Russia as long as Putin remains in power.