European leaders convened in Brussels on Thursday for emergency discussions, primarily focusing on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the future of European defense. The talks gained urgency following the United States' warning to withdraw from longstanding security commitments, which have stood for over 80 years. In light of this development, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs advocated for European nations to reintroduce conscription as a necessary measure against escalating Russian aggression.
Latvia, sharing a 180-mile border with Russia, reinstated compulsory military service for adult males on January 1 last year. This decision marked a significant policy shift as the country had previously abolished mandatory military service in 2006. President Rinkēvičs emphasized the importance of this move, asserting that other European nations should "absolutely" follow Latvia's lead to bolster their defense capabilities. He acknowledged the nervousness surrounding the situation but underscored the necessity of such measures.
"Yes… seeing what is happening in the world, the decision that we took, and yes indeed, we had quite a discussion back in 2022 and that decision was taken by the Parliament."
The Latvian leader highlighted that several European countries discontinued mandatory conscription after the Cold War ended. However, recent years have witnessed a resurgence of compulsory military service in regions like Scandinavia and the Baltics. This shift largely stems from concerns over Russian activities and potential threats. As Latvia remains particularly vulnerable to Russian incursions, Rinkēvičs believes other nations should adopt similar strategies to ensure regional security.
In addition to advocating for conscription, Rinkēvičs urged European countries to increase their defense budgets. While there is ongoing debate in Latvia about extending conscription to women, no definitive decisions have been made on this front.
“Currently, that is not a decision that has been taken,” Rinkēvičs remarked. “There is not any legal obligation for that… This is a debate but there are no decisions taken.”
