- Latvia, which borders Russia, wants to bring back conscription in light of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
- Its defense minister told Insider that Latvia should be ready for a Russian attack, including one with little warning.
- He said that Russia could attack so suddenly that NATO would not be ready for it.
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Latvia’s defense minister wants to reintroduce conscription so his country can defend itself in case Russia launches an attack so sudden that NATO can’t help prevent it.
Latvia – a NATO and EU member state that borders Russia – ended compulsory service in 2007.
But earlier this month, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks announced plans to reintroduce the service for 18- to 27-year-olds following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying it was a necessary step for the country to “survive”. Latvia’s president said he also supports the move.
In an interview with Insider this week, Pabriks, who is also Latvia’s deputy prime minister, said more citizens need military training because the country expects an attack from Russia.
He said Latvian intelligence suggested a Russian attack could come with little warning, meaning NATO defenses might not be ready to stop it.
Map showing the border between Latvia and Russia. Google Maps/Insider
“Even if we are a NATO member country, our first challenge and danger comes from a very quick attack from Russia,” Pabriks said.
“We were, of course, calculating how many forces Russia could muster on our borders within 24 or 48 hours. And knowing that NATO will need some time to consider this, we must be ready to defend every inch and every centimeter of our territory ourselves.”
NATO’s charter states that an attack on one member state is treated as an attack on all, meaning that other nations will come to Latvia’s defense.
But Pabriks said Latvia – which was occupied by the Soviets before declaring independence in 1990 – needed to significantly strengthen its own defenses because a Russian attack was so likely.
“We are ready for anything so as not to repeat our bitter historical lessons from the time when the Soviet Union occupied us,” he said.
“We can’t afford to look weak. We must be strong. We are not afraid and we are just alert, ready, because we will no longer live under this foreign rule and this occupation like our ancestors.”
Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks in England in February 2022. Alberto Petzali/Associated Press
Service from next year
The introduction of compulsory military service still needs approval from the country’s parliament and new legislation.
Pabrix expects that to pass and said it could happen this year — meaning the first 500 people could enter the service in January 2023.
These first people will be volunteers as part of the first phase of the plan, and eventually all Latvian men between the ages of 18 and 27 will have to work for 11 months.
The 11 months will be made up of three months of basic training, three months of a special course and five months of “unit integration and collective training”.
They will also receive a monthly salary of “up to 400 euros, free food and accommodation in barracks”, the defense ministry said.
Pabriks also said he thinks the plan is popular with the majority of the population.
NATO troops gather during a military exercise at the Adazhi military base in Kadaga, Latvia, Tuesday, March. 8, 2022 AP Photo/Roman Koksarov
Expect an attack
Pabriks said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine proved the need to bring back compulsory military service in Latvia.
He said Latvia believes that whether Russia wins or loses in Ukraine, “Russia will remain an unreliable neighbor with imperial ambitions for the next decade.”
Ukraine, like Latvia, was previously occupied by the Soviet Union, and Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was rightfully part of Russia as a justification for the invasion.
“This means that Ukraine gives us time to prepare,” Pabriks said. “While the Ukrainians are fighting, I’m sorry to say, we have a chance as Latvians and as Europeans to prepare.
People are seen digging graves in Bucha, Ukraine, April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
Pabriks said the service would both strengthen the Latvian military so it could fight off a Russian attack and act as a deterrent to Russia’s plans.
“The Russians are not crazy. They will see that we are ready to defend ourselves,” he said.
“And secondly, if disaster strikes, then we will have enough strength to defend our freedoms.”
As for what kind of attack Russia might make, Pabriks said “anything can happen because this imperial country has never given up those ambitions.”
Latvian President Egils Levits talks with Latvian troops during his visit to the Adazhi military base in Kadaga, Latvia, March 8, 2022. AP Photo/Roman Koksarov
Russia has so far made ambiguous relations against the Baltic countries, one of which is Latvia. In April, Russia said it would place nuclear weapons in the Baltic region, and Estonia said Russia was simulating missile attacks against it.
Latvia’s neighbors have also strengthened their defenses against Russia’s incursion into Ukraine: Sweden and Finland have applied to join NATO, Finland plans to build barriers along its Russian border, and Estonia and Lithuania have increased military exercises.
Pabriks said that when his country brings back conscription, he can’t see it ending again like it did 15 years ago.
“The Rubicon has been crossed,” he said. “We’re not going to drop it again.”
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