As tensions and talk of its possibility seem to have been floating around for quite some time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now claimed that World War III has ‘already started’.
It’s been nearly a year since Donald Trump accused the Ukrainian President of ‘gambling with WW3’ in a fiery White House meeting.
And it’s a phrase we’ve chillingly heard bandied about by many since.
Keir Starmer recently said that ‘Europe must be ready to fight Russia’ and it seems tensions are continuing to rise.
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So, with that, talks of conscription have also grown as fears of a Third World War continue.
But Zelenskyy believes it’s not a potential to be afraid of, he reckons Vladimir Putin has already kicked it off as he stressed the importance of stopping him.
Zelenskyy’s WW3 claim
The Ukrainian told the BBC over the weekend that his country ‘would end the war victorious’ as the only answer to WW3 is through military and economic pressure.
“I believe that Putin has already started it,” Zelenskyy said. “The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him.”
The President added: “Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves."
Conscription
There has been plenty of talks about conscription making a come back despite Starmer not at all suggesting that it is a possibility.
However, he has been urged over the past year to consider during so by former Army commanders.
So, with the rise in tensions, it’s understandable people might be cautious of its potential.
The UK may not have conscription in place but a number of European countries have it in place, including: Latvia, Finland, Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Lithunia, Moldova, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.
And in the US, military service is not mandatory. However, nearly all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 need to register with the Selective Service System.
Separate from the Defence Department, this government bureau's mission statement is: "To register men and maintain a system that, when authorised by the President and Congress, rapidly provides personnel in a fair and equitable manner while managing an alternative service program for conscientious objectors."
A number of groups are exempt from registering like those currently on active duty, some with disabilities and those who are incarcerated.
Who could be conscripted?
Young, fit men
History points towards this group being drafted first, specifically those in the 18 to 25 age bracket - as seen in UK history and the US select service.
They are prioritised as troops as they can be trained quickly and have the physical capability to undergo a long-term conflict.
Single people with no children
Family status has long been a huge factor in figuring out who's sent to fight for the nation, with the government even introducing a phased approach to conscription during the Second World War.
They would draft single people without children first to avoid disrupting families.
Women
Now, this would obviously be different to historical precedent, as women are now more likely than ever to face conscription in any future conflicts.
Women between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up for roles related to WWII such as nursing, munitions, and auxiliary positions
The line between auxiliary and combat roles has disappeared in the modern age, as a 2024 YouGov poll found that 72 percent of Brits support women fighting on the frontlines.
Ex-soldiers and reservists
Former military personnel are likely to be drafted as they have already been trained to fight for the nation.
Older people
Finally, older people would be drafted if the war were to continue for longer periods of time.
People aged up to 51 were conscripted in the closing stages of WWII, while those aged 52-60 had to serve in the civil defence.
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Politics, World News
Jess Battison