Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that World War III has “already started.”
Speaking to the BBC, Zelenskyy said Russia’s invasion has kicked off a wider conflict. “The question is how much territory [Putin] will be able to seize and how to stop him,” he added.
Zelenskyy stressed that the only way to respond is through military and economic pressure. He said Russia wants to “impose a different way of life” on the world.
As tensions rise, talks of conscription have resurfaced across Europe. While the UK currently has no mandatory service, countries like Latvia, Finland, Austria, Denmark, and Ukraine maintain it. In the US, men aged 18 to 25 must register with the Selective Service System, though military service isn’t mandatory.
Historically, conscription prioritizes young, fit men, especially singles with no children. Women could also be drafted in modern conflicts, with public opinion now largely supportive of female combat roles.
Ex-soldiers, reservists, and older citizens may also be called if a war drags on. During WWII, people in their 50s and 60s were drafted or assigned to civil defence roles.
Zelenskyy remains confident that Ukraine will prevail, but his warning highlights the rising global tensions and the potential for wider military involvement.
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