Ukraine’s new mobilisation law should be changed to avoid crippling the war-torn country’s fragile economy, leading business groups have said.
Members of Ukraine‘s parliament are set to debate an amended Bill which if passed would allow Kyiv to call up more people and clamp down on draft dodging.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said in December that the country’s military top brass had put forward proposals which, if met, would mean between 450,000 to half a million more people joining the war effort.
The Ukraine based European Business Association, a forum for about 1,000 companies, warned parliament “not to paralyse the country’s economy” with the new legislation.
There are concerns, according to Reuters, among exporters and army suppliers who want to avoid losing staff and civilian vehicles being commandeered by the state in a “disorderly” way.
Kyiv faces a dilemma with the government needing to replenish manpower on the front lines while protecting Ukraine‘s economy.
The draft legislation proposes cutting the draft age from 27 to 25, setting limits on when it’s permissible to defer the draft and increasing fines for draft dodging.
David Arakhamia, who heads the ruling faction in Ukraine’s parliament, said on Telegram work is underway to get the Bill ready for its second reading.
He called for the interests of the military command, citizens and businesses to be weighed evenly, adding: “The task is not easy. There will be a lot of work.”
Among their concerns, business groups have called for more clarity on draft deferrals for key staff in highly skilled sectors, Reuters reports.
Intervention by Ukrainian businesses comes ahead of the two year anniversary of the wider war between Russia and Ukraine, which was triggered when Vladimir Putin‘s troops invaded its neighbour on February 24, 2022.
Mr Zelensky said on Monday (February 19) his country is doing everything possible and impossible to defeat Russia.
His comments came after officials in Moscow announced on Saturday (February 17) they had taken control of the frontline city, Avdiivka.
Ukrainian forces confirmed they had pulled out of the bombed-out city in what amounted to a triumph for the Kremlin even though the four-month battle was costly.
Some Western military analysts believe Ukraine could counter Russia’s attempt to build up on its Avdiivka success by trying to erect new lines of defence in the immediate area and deploy fresh units to hold back Putin’s forces.
Even so, the threat of ammunition shortages hangs over Ukraine’s military, with Russia aiming to exploit the moment as Washington struggles to get political agreement for more aid and European countries strive to increase production.
Meanwhile, Japan is hosting a conference for Japanese and Ukrainian officials to discuss the reconstruction of the war torn country.
Tokyo hopes the conference will help boost support for Ukraine as the war drags on and at a time when attention has been diverted to the situation in Gaza.
Officials in Japan say the global community should unite in supporting Ukraine to show using force against other countries will not be tolerated.
Mariia Shevchuk, head of an IT Association, told Reuters that Ukrainian businesses can help fund the war effort.
She said: “We strongly urge the authorities for a dialogue with business so that we can be heard. We could grow, we could pay more taxes, we could provide for the army because there are issues with donor support in general.”
