The “18–24” project won’t replace mobilisation but is an important step — Palisa
The “18–24” project, which allows young people to voluntarily choose service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has become an important initiative to support those who consciously want to join the army.
This was stated by Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, in an interview with LB.ua.
At the same time, the project cannot fully replace mobilisation. According to Palisa, the programme was conceived as a trial contract model with clearly defined service terms.
It was designed not only as an experiment for future contractual conditions but also as a step toward improving recruitment and personnel management mechanisms.
Palisa emphasised that the main goal of the initiative is to support the motivation of young people who have independently decided to contribute to Ukraine’s defence.
He noted that despite certain expectations regarding participant numbers, the programme has proven effective. Far from failing, it has shown what a modern contractual model in the military could look like.
“Even with all our desire, a project like ‘18–24’ cannot replace the issue of mobilisation,” he stressed.
For reference, the “Contract 18–24” programme is now open to all combat brigades, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have shared the most popular specialisations under the programme.
