Imagine a future where the call to serve your country is not a choice, but a mandatory duty. This is the reality that Europe is facing, with military conscription making a comeback.
In a chilling warning, the French army chief of staff stated, "We must be prepared to sacrifice our children to protect our identity." This statement sends shivers down the spine and raises questions about the potential confrontation with Russia by 2030.
Across Europe, ten EU countries have already implemented compulsory military service for men. From Austria to Finland, young men are being drafted into the armed forces. But here's where it gets controversial: Germany, set to send out military questionnaires to 18-year-olds next year, faces a constitutional dilemma. While men are required to respond, the law prohibits drafting women. So, for women, it remains a voluntary decision.
War, however, does not discriminate based on gender. In the Nordics, military service is considered a shared responsibility. Denmark and Sweden have taken the step of drafting women, and Norway became the first NATO ally to do so. And in Ukraine, over 70,000 women serve in the military, with 20,000 in combat roles. This number is almost equivalent to the combined armies of Belgium and the Netherlands.
The debate around conscription raises important questions. While large armies may drain resources from healthcare and innovation, Ukraine's experience highlights the high price of sovereignty. NATO allies can afford to discuss these matters because Ukrainians are courageously holding the line. If they had surrendered, the war would not be knocking on their doors; it would be at our very doorstep.
So, would you be ready to answer the call? This is a question that many Europeans are now facing. Watch the Euronews video above to delve deeper into this thought-provoking topic.
This article was written by Jakub Janas, a journalist with Euronews.
