Ukraine intends to abandon compulsory military service and switch to a professional army after the end of the war with Russia in order to bring it closer to NATO requirements, Prime Minister Denys Shmigal said on Thursday, as quoted by Reuters.

Shmigal also noted after the meeting with the defense and security leadership that the reforms being discussed under the name “Ukrainian shield” will also be aimed at increasing the production capacity of the domestic arms industry.

“The main task is to complete the transition of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine to NATO standards in all parameters: from equipment, to armament, to planning and analysis,” the Ukrainian Prime Minister wrote in his Telegram channel.

“After the end of the war, Ukraine will abandon the mandatory conscription that existed before the war. The cornerstone of our defense will be a professional army,” he added.

Ukraine has reiterated its desire to join NATO after the collapse of peace talks with Russia last year, hoping to get a clear message at the alliance’s summit in Vilnius next week.

Shmyhal also said that Ukraine will create combat-ready reserve units to supplement the professional army, and they will participate in regular exercises.

There are one million people in the armed forces of Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered general mobilization on the first day of last year’s Russian invasion, and now Kyiv’s armed forces number about a million men under arms.

Before the start of the war, there was mandatory military service for men in Ukraine. Women also served in the army, but military service was not mandatory for them.

Also on Thursday, Denys Shmyhal said that an important element of the future evolution of the defense forces of Ukraine will also be the development of domestic weapons.

“Ukraine is already actively increasing the production of weapons and equipment. In addition, we are launching new programs and projects,” he said, adding that the government will also provide additional support in this regard to the private sector and continue efforts to establish international partnerships.

Ukraine is now heavily dependent on its partners for arms and ammunition after its defense industry was largely destroyed in the early days of the war.

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