Ukraine will refuse conscription after the end of war - Shmyhal

After the end of the war, Ukraine will abandon conscription into the army as it existed before the war, the basis of defense will be a professional army. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on the Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"After the end of the war, Ukraine will abandon conscription as it existed before the war. The basis of our defense will be a professional army. Two components of the reserve will be created at the same time. All conscripts will constantly undergo mandatory training in specified military specialties," he informed.

Shmyhal said that he held a meeting with Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Secretary of the NSDC Oleksii Danilov, Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin and representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regarding security and defense reform "Ukrainian Shield", they also discussed the vision of the New Ukrainian Army.

The Prime Minister noted that the Ukrainian army proved on the battlefield that it is one of the strongest in the world, and it will be the same after the victory of Ukraine. He emphasized that the primary task is to complete the transition of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine to NATO standards in all aspects: from equipment and weapons to planning and analysis.

Another component of the New Ukrainian Army is the development of the military-industrial complex. Shmyhal noted that Ukraine is already actively increasing the production of weapons and equipment, moreover, it is launching new programs and projects. He added that private business should become a full-fledged partner of the state in the military industry, a new defense procurement system will be created, which will include active interaction with international partners and long-term budget planning.

The Prime Minister also informed that the issues of military-patriotic education and development of the system of national resistance were raised separately at the meeting.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in October 2022, the Verkhovna Rada canceled conscription for military service during martial law.