Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has called for European countries to introduce conscription, warning of the growing threat from Russia. Speaking on Sunday, he emphasized that Latvia reinstated compulsory military service in January 2023 due to its proximity to Russia and urged other nations to follow suit. Rinkēvičs also confirmed that Latvia is debating whether to extend conscription to women, reflecting broader discussions on military readiness. While acknowledging public concerns, he stressed that reassurance must be backed by concrete defense actions from Latvia and other European governments. His remarks highlight Europe’s increasing focus on military preparedness amid uncertainty over the war in Ukraine.
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