President: Lithuanian public, politicians have to decide on military draft for women

"It is society as a whole and all politicians who have to make a decision on this matter," the advisor told the Ziniu Radijas radio station when asked if the president's office would be in favor of a military draft for women. "There has to be a broad approach, an assessment of the whole scenario."

"Today, I can't really take a definitive position," he added.

A recent feasibility study by the Defense Ministry looked into the possibility of a universal military draft for both men and women and only for men. It found that the former option would take more time and would require much more investment.

Kuliesius said the document has yet to be discussed by the president-chaired State Defense Council.

The Defense Ministry notes in the study that the document should be regarded as “an analytical framework for discussion”.

The ministry plans to present the study to other authorities and organizations in January.

Lithuania reintroduced partial conscription in 2015 in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Currently, just over 3,800 men aged 18-23 are called up for military service annually.