Russia’s Posture Pushing European Countries to Reintroduce Military Service, Say Experts

Defense expert Tim Ripley said some countries had reintroduced conscription only a few years after scrapping it, adding that ’the Russian threat looms large.’

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (R) review a military honor guard in front of the presidential Bellevue Palace in Berlin on Sept. 12, 2025. Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images

Germany and Croatia are the latest European countries to restore a form of military service, and experts say Russia’s aggressive posture is likely to lead more nations to bring back some sort of conscription.

The German Cabinet approved plans on Aug. 27 for a new voluntary military service system, in an attempt to boost numbers in the armed forces, as it attempts to meet NATO targets.