Title: Ukraine Plans to Abolish Mandatory Military Service After the War

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal indicated on Thursday that "Ukraine plans to abandon the mandatory military recruitment system and transition to a professional army model as a step towards NATO membership standards." Following a meeting with senior defense and security officials discussing reforms known as the "Ukrainian Shield," Shmyhal stated that "the government will continue to focus on supporting increased domestic arms production." Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram app: "The main task is to complete the transformation of Ukraine's security and defense forces to align with NATO standards. This includes all aspects, from the weapons used to planning and analysis." He added: "After the war ends, Ukraine will abandon conscription, and the situation will return to what it was before the war, with a professional army as the basis of our defense." Ukraine wishes to join NATO and hopes to receive a clear signal regarding its membership prospects when the alliance holds a summit in Lithuania next week.