Latvian President Advocates European Conscription to Counter Russian Threat

Latvia's Edgars Rinkevics urges European nations to bolster defense with mandatory military service, as concerns over Russian aggression and NATO commitments grow.

Latvia reintroduced conscription in 2023 for men aged 18 to 27, citing the need for 61,000 combat-ready troops to address regional security risks.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has called on European countries to adopt conscription, describing the continent's military capacity as insufficient.
Several European nations, including Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, have reinstated or expanded conscription in recent years, primarily in response to Russian aggression.
The UK government has ruled out reintroducing conscription for now but acknowledged the need to adapt defense policies to evolving global threats.
European leaders recently met to discuss strengthening defense capabilities, as the U.S. signals reduced security guarantees for Europe and emphasizes increased NATO spending.