Frightened by the prospect of US security disengagement and three years of Moscow’s war against Ukraine, European countries are debating reinstating compulsory military service to boost their defences in the face of Russian aggression.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caught Europe off guard, and fears about the strength of Nato surged further after US President Donald Trump upended the transatlantic alliance, saying Europe must take care of its own security.
Military analysts and European governments acknowledge that the threat of Russian aggression is real.
According to a study Burilkov co-authored for think tank Bruegel and the Kiel Institute, Europe could need 300 000 more troops to deter Russian aggression, in addition to 1.47 million active-duty military personnel.
“Conscription would have to play a role in…
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Star South Africa (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2025-03-17