Arsenal's Zinchenko says he would fight in Ukraine if called up

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week signed into law a measure lowering the country's army mobilisation age from 27 to 25, the country's parliament said on its website. Mobilisation has been a divisive issue in a nation exhausted by more than two years of war with Russia, which has resulted in huge military losses.

Zelensky said in December that the army wanted to mobilise up to half a million people to battle Moscow's forces in Ukraine.  Arsenal's Zinchenko, who has won 60 caps for Ukraine, told BBC's Newsnight programme he would answer a call-up. "I think it's a clear answer. I would go (to fight)", he said. He added that former school friends were involved in the conflict.

"It's tough to understand that just recently we've been in the same school, we were playing in the playground or on the football pitch, and now they have to defend our country," he said. "And, honestly, (it's) so hard to accept this, but it is what it is. We cannot give up." The 27-year-old former Manchester City player told the BBC he had donated about £1 million ($1.25 million) to help people in his country since Russia's invasion in 2022.

"I know maybe some people might think that it's much easier... for me being here (in London) rather than being there (in Ukraine)," he said. "I really hope that this war will end soon." The Arsenal player, who began his senior career with Russian team Ufa, said he is no longer in contact with friends or former teammates who are in Russia.

"Since the invasion really few (have) texted me and sent me some messages and I can't blame them because this is not their fault," he said. "I cannot tell them, 'Guys, do the protests outside and all these things', because I know they can be (put) in prison." He said