The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, has called on European nations to implement conscription to strengthen their military capabilities. He expressed concerns about the continent’s current military weaknesses during an interview with Sky News. Rinkevics emphasized the need for increased defense spending, especially given the fluctuating relationship between Europe and the United States.
Latvia, which reintroduced conscription for men in 2023, has raised its defense spending to 4% of its GDP. Rinkevics believes that in light of global events, other European countries should follow Latvia’s lead. He noted that many people are feeling anxious about security and stressed that governments must take concrete actions to bolster their defenses.
While the UK government is not currently considering conscription, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden acknowledged that future decisions may be necessary to address the changing security landscape. He pointed out that the UK has announced significant increases in defense expenditure.
Rinkevics highlighted the importance of NATO and the understanding that an attack on one member is an attack on all. He warned that failing to uphold this principle could jeopardize the alliance’s future. He also called for a stronger military presence along NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in the Baltic states, which include Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. These countries are among the highest defense spenders in NATO relative to their size and have been vocal about the threats posed by Russia.
The Latvian president believes that both Europe and the US recognize the risks ahead. He urged European nations to focus on building their military capacities and ensuring that their commitments to defense are backed by action, not just words. Rinkevics is optimistic about Latvia’s cooperation with the US but insists that Europe must also take responsibility for its own security.
As tensions continue to rise, Rinkevics’s call for conscription and increased military readiness reflects a growing urgency among European leaders to address security challenges and strengthen their defenses against potential threats.