Latvia reintroduces conscription to deter Russian aggression

NATO member Latvia has reintroduced conscription to deter Russia from invading the rest of Europe, the country’s foreign minister told The Daily Telegraph.

Compulsory service came into effect at the start of January, weeks in advance of the two-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. “We have reintroduced the draft ... to increase the size of our active and ready reserve,” said Krisjanis Karins, the foreign minister.

All male citizens aged 18 to 27 will be required to complete a year of service, including those living abroad.

Those who refuse to serve could be fined or imprisoned though some exemptions will apply, including for those with health conditions, single parents and dual citizens who have already served abroad. It comes amid a broader push by Latvia to boost its defensive readiness by reinforcing its military ranks, expanding reserve forces and restocking its weapon arsenal in light of Moscow’s aggression.

Shoring up defences was about sending a message to Moscow that Latvia and its European allies had their “bases covered”, Mr Karins said. “We need to be in such a state of preparedness that Russian generals and the Russian political classes clearly see that the direction of Europe is a no-go,” he added.

Earlier this month, Latvia and its Baltic neighbours, fellow Nato members Estonia and Lithuania, agreed a deal to create a “common defence line” along their borders with Russia and Belarus.

Exact details are still being negotiated, but the agreement will involve hundreds of bunkers and other defensive installations being built.

“Imagine a positive outcome of the Ukrainian war – all Ukrainian territory is liberated and the war ends,” Mr Karins said. “But, on that day, Russia still remains a threat.”

Similar debates over how best to prepare for a potential war are taking place across Nato territories, including in the UK, where there have been recent calls to consider reintroducing conscription. In Latvia, those called up will receive a monthly salary of €300 (£255) and be housed in army barracks. They will be allowed to take up to one month’s leave.

Mr Karins said conscripts would be “enmeshed in professional units” in order to learn the required skills. Latvia’s plan is to have a combat-ready force of 61,000 troops, split between active and reserve units.