(ANSA) – RIGA, 06 JUL – Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks declared yesterday evening that the Baltic state will restore compulsory military service, following the growing tension with neighboring Russia over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“Latvia’s current military system has reached its limit. Meanwhile we have no reason to think that Russia will change its behavior,” Pabriks told reporters.
Latvia had revoked its compulsory military service a few years after joining the NATO defense alliance.
Since 2007, the EU member army has been made up of career soldiers, along with National Guard volunteers who serve part-time in the infantry on weekends.
The country of fewer than two million people, which borders both Belarus and Russia, currently has only 7,500 active-duty soldiers and members of the National Guard, backed by 1,500 NATO troops.
Pabriks said compulsory military service will apply to men and take effect next year, with several options available to meet the requirements. The Latvian Defense Minister also announced plans to build another military base near the southeastern city of Jekabpils, located closer to the Russian border than the existing Adazi base. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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