Several EU countries want to expand their armed forces as war continues in Ukraine
When Lizzy arrived in Lithuania, military service stopped feeling abstract. On her second day, a fellow soldier stepped on a landmine.
“It felt more real,” recalled the 21-year-old German reservist, who had initially joined Germany’s voluntary military service out of curiosity.
She is one of thousands of young Europeans turning to the uniform as governments across the continent embark on their largest military build-up in decades. France and Germany are among those seeking to expand their armed forces as war rages in the east.
Germany wants 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists by 2035, while France is reversing years of recruitment difficulties. But behind those targets are thousands of young Europeans making a personal decision about service, career and security.
