Russiaβs annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 fundamentally altered Europeβs security paradigm. The downsized armies and professional military models that emerged after the Cold War began to seem inadequate in the face of Moscowβs aggressive policies. In this context, countries such as Germany and France signaled a possible return to conscription as they sought to strengthen their armed forces.
In Germany, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius openly stated that if the number of volunteers proved insufficient, compulsory military service could once again be considered. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) adopted a program at its party congress calling for a gradual return to conscription. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has sought to reinforce the βuniversal national serviceβ model for young people.
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