Latvian president calls for European conscription, warns of military weakness

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has urged European nations to introduce conscription, warning that the continent remains "quite weak" militarily.

Rinkēvičs stressed the need for increased defence spending, particularly amid fluctuating transatlantic relations, Caliber.Az reports per US media.

Latvia reintroduced mandatory military service for men in 2023 and has boosted defence expenditure to 4% of GDP.

"Given the current global situation, the decision we took is one that many other European countries should follow," he said.

While acknowledging growing concerns across Europe, Rinkēvičs said governments must take concrete steps to strengthen their defences. "People are following the news and feeling uneasy. Reassurances are important, but European governments must also ensure that we are collectively stronger," he added.

The UK, however, has ruled out conscription for now. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden said the government is not considering such a move but acknowledged the need to adapt to the "new reality."

"We are not looking at conscription, but we have announced a significant increase in defence spending," McFadden said. "Europe must step up in terms of its own security."

Rinkēvičs also emphasised the importance of NATO’s unity, warning that a failure to uphold Article 5—the alliance’s collective defence clause—would mark the "end of NATO."

Calling Latvia and its Baltic neighbours, Estonia and Lithuania, the "litmus test of NATO," he urged greater military presence along their borders with Russia. "It’s not just about making declarations; it’s about how those declarations are implemented," he said.

The Latvian president also addressed recent shifts in US policy towards Russia and Ukraine. While describing Latvia’s cooperation with Washington as "good," he stressed the need for a unified European approach.

"The US is right to call for greater defence spending from NATO’s European allies," he said. "But Europe must also take responsibility, build up its military capacity, and ensure a stronger, more coordinated stance."

The Baltic states—situated on NATO’s eastern flank—are among the alliance’s highest defence spenders relative to GDP. They have also been vocal supporters of Ukraine, warning for years about the threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

By Aghakazim Guliyev