War and civil society: What lessons can Europe draw from the experience of Ukraine?

Monday, May 18, 2026

Ukrainian society mobilizes civilians for defense; other European nations rethink military service.

πŸ”— Read the article on voxeurop.eu


[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Ukrainian society is deeply involved in the war effort through various initiatives, from businesses like pastry shops donating profits to military equipment, to thousands of defense start-ups where civilians apply their professional skills. Sociologists note that modern warfare transforms societies, requiring a qualitative assessment beyond material costs. Ukrainian preparedness differs from many European models due to a historical distrust of the state and a direct, tangible threat felt by citizens, leading to widespread grassroots involvement in defense. This phenomenon is prompting other European nations to reconsider or reintroduce compulsory military service, with countries like Germany, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, and Estonia implementing various forms of mandatory or expanded service.


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