UNIVERSAL MILITARY CONSCRIPTION AS OF 2032

VILNIUS, OCTOBER 29 /SRNA/ – Lithuania plans to expand military service for young men and introduce universal military conscription as of 2032 due to escalating tensions with neighbouring Russia, President Gitanas Nausėda said.

He said that the National Security Council of the EU and NATO member states had agreed to the measure at a meeting in Vilnius today.

Parliament must approve the plan before it can come into force, the DPA news agency reported.

The Lithuanian president said that more than 5,000 young men are currently conscripted each year for nine months of basic military training. Under universal conscription, this number is expected to rise to approximately 7,500.

"Women should be allowed to continue volunteering for military training, as they have until now," he added.

The costs of introducing universal military conscription could reach €120 million.

Lithuania partially reinstated compulsory military service in 2015, after it had been abolished in 2008.