LATVIA’S president has warned European countries to “absolutely” introduce conscription as he dubbed the continent as “weak” militarily in the face of threat from Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
The continent has been working tirelessly this past week to bolster defence following US President Donald Trump’s halt on military aid and US intelligence sharing in war-torn Ukraine.
GettySoldiers from Royal Welsh Battlegroup take part in maneuvers during NATO exercise Hedgehog on the Estonian Latvian border[/caption]
EPAA US Army Abrams tank fires during the Saber Strike military exercises in Adazi military training area, Latvia[/caption]
AFPPresident of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics looks on at a press conference at the Parliament of Latvia in 2023[/caption]
President Edgars Rinkevics’s government recently brought back conscription for men aged between 18 and 27 to have 61,000 troops ready for combat, split between active and reserve units.
Latvia also pushed defence spending to 4 per cent of the country’s GDP.
The Baltic country has a 175-mile border with Russia to its east, with foreign minister Krisjanis Karins saying last year that they wanted to achieve a “state of preparedness” to ward off a Kremlin invasion.
President Rinkevics told Sky News: “Seeing what is happening in the world, the decision that we took – many other European countries need to follow that.
“A lot of people are a little bit nervous. People are following the news.
“Of course strong reassurances [are] one thing, but another thing is other European governments [have] to make sure that we all get stronger.”
Despite the desperate call from Rinkevics, British Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden clarified that the government isn’t considering introducing conscription.
But he warned that decisions may be needed in the future to respond to the “new reality” that Europe is having to face.
McFadden said: “We’ve announced a major increase in defence expenditure a couple of weeks ago, and we do have to recognise that the world has changed here.
“The phrase ‘step up’ is used a lot in recent weeks, and Europe does have to step up in terms of its own defence.”
But Latvia’s Rinkevics said that the continent and the US “understand the risks and the threats” of Nato’s future.
He said: “An attack against any of Nato member means an attack against other Nato members, Europeans and non-Europeans.
“If there is a failure to fulfil article five, then I think everybody really understands this is the end of Nato.”
Dubbing Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania the “litmus test of Nato,” Rinkevics also made his latest plea for an increase in “the overall presence” on the borders with Russia due to chilling “increasing risks”.
He added: “What is now important is not only declarations, but also how those declarations are being implemented.
“I’m fine with the wordings, but we also need some deeds.”
The UK has pledged a £2.26billion loan to Ukraine’s war effort, underwritten by frozen Russian wealth.
AFPUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) greets Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics (L)[/caption]
GettyRoyal Tank regiment take part in maneuvers during NATO exercise Hedgehog on the Estonian Latvian border[/caption]
AlamySwedisn army troops of the NATO multinational brigade attend Oak Resolve military exercise in the Adazi military ground, Latvia[/caption]
Last January, the Conservative Chief of the General Staff Sir Patrick Sanders stressed the need for ministers to “mobilise the nation” in a speech.
With the British Army reduced to its smallest size for centuries, Gen Sir Patrick said at the time that there should be a “shift” in the mindset of the public who should be willing to defend the UK against foreign adversaries.
The Army chief would not support conscription, it is understood, but believes the British people should change their mindset to “think more like troops” and be prepared for a call-up if Nato goes to war with Vladimir Putin.
If there were an introduction of conscription, it would be the first time in over 60 years that Brits would be required to fight.
Mandatory military service was introduced during the First World War after the government passed the Military Service Act in 1916.
UKRAINE CRUNCH TALKS
Next week, top diplomats from the US including Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet the Ukrainian delegation for talks on ending the war.
Zelensky will not be meeting with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week for peace talks as both sides try to build back their damaged relationship.
The talks set to take place in Jeddah, will see his team meet with Americans while the President returns to Kyiv after meeting the crown prince.
In a post he said: “Next week, on Monday, my trip to Saudi Arabia is planned to meet with the crown prince.
“After that my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace.
Putin’s sights on three Nato countries
ESTONIA, Lithuania and Latvia have all condemned Putin’s grinding war in Ukraine.
These major Russian-speaking cities in each country are of historical importance when thinking about the Russian empire Putin follows on from.
Geographically they also all provide important elements, like coastal locations, sea ports, industrial centres or key borders.
NARVA – ESTONIA
Narva – which sits on the border between Russia and Estonia – was first occupied by Russia between 1558 and 1581, and then again in 1704.
97 per cent of the almost 60,000 residents there speak Russian.
It borders a river between the two countries – not far from Narva Bay.
On the edge of Nato’s eastern flank by the Baltic Sea, Narva is Estonia’s third biggest city.
There is a red line painted on the point where Narva crosses into Russia – on a bridge over the river.
Estonian border police told the BBC that thousands of Ukrainians have escaped war zones and fled into Estonia through this border crossing.
Narva has welcomed Ukrainian refugees during Putin’s war, the BBC reports.
KLAIPEDA – LITHUANIA
Lithunia downgraded its diplomatic relations with Russia after Putin invaded Ukraine.
It closed its Russian consulate in Klaipeda, which is bordered by Latvia, Belarus and Poland on the Baltic Sea coast.
The third largest city in Lithuania, Klaipeda is a major seaport.
It has the highest number of native Russian speakers among Lithuanian cities.
Under the USSR, Russia turned Klaipeda into a valuable marine base.
DAUGAVPILS – LATVIA
This Latvian city, in the south, is bordered closely by Belarus and Lithuania.
It is the second largest city in the country and well populated.
It is also only 75 miles from the Latvian border with Russia.
Daugavpils is historically a major railway and industrial point – and was part of the Russian Empire in the late 1700s.
It has an overwhelmingly Russian speaking population.
Latvia has strongly condemned Putin’s war in Ukraine, and has been added to a list of all EU countries dubbed “unfriendly” by Putin.
“As we conveyed to president Trump Ukraine is working and will continue working exclusively in a constructive manner to reach a quick and stable peace.”
Can Europe fill the gap?
On Thursday, leaders gathered at an emergency EU summit in Brussels and signalled that a £670 billion war chest will be amassed to help Ukraine in the war against Russia.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called it a “watershed moment” for Europe and Ukraine.
And British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that a “coalition of the willing” would come together and devise a peace plan to end the bloody war.
An overwhelming 20 countries are now lined up to join to protect against further Russian aggression.
France‘s defence minister confirmed that his country was continuing to provide Ukraine with military intelligence.
President Emmanuel Macron said that France is ready to deploy a “nuclear shield” to help protect Europe from any looming Russian threats.
Following the summit, the Kremlin threatened to respond to “confrontational rhetoric”.
Putin puppet Dmitry Peskov said in a news briefing: “The EU is now actively discussing its militarisation and specifically developing its defence sector.
“This is a process we’re watching closely because the EU presents Russia as the main adversary.”
He further warned that the militarisation could cause Russia “to take relevant reciprocal measures to ensure our security”.
Peskov added: “And of course, this confrontational rhetoric and discussions in Brussels and European capitals are seriously at odds with searching for ways of peaceful settlement in Ukraine.”
Dozens of world leaders attended a crucial security summit at Lancaster House on Sunday
The Oval Office bust up between Donald Trump, JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelensky is set to go down in history
EPAUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
