Latvia is reintroducing compulsory military service, reports Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks. With this, the Baltic country is responding to the increasing tensions with neighboring Russia because of the war in Ukraine.
Latvia borders both Belarus and Russia and is a member of the EU and NATO. The country has less than 1.9 million inhabitants. The new conscription applies only to men and will come into effect next year.
Since 2007, the Latvian army has been made up of active professional soldiers and part-time volunteers from the National Guard who reinforce the infantry on weekends. The armed forces have a total of 7500 members. They are supported by 1500 NATO troops.
Latvia is also planning to build a military base near the southeastern city of Jekabpils, which is closer to the Russian border than the existing Adazu base, according to Minister Pabriks.
