Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said that amid the threat from the Russian Federation, his department will offer to return universal military service, reports the BBC..

“The current military system in Latvia has exhausted itself. Meanwhile, we have no reason to believe that Russia will change its behavior,” Pabriks said..

According to Pabriks, according to the plans of the Ministry of Defense, compulsory military service will be introduced within five years..

However, the plans of the Ministry of Defense must be approved by the Seimas..

It is specified that from 2023 to 2028, men aged 18 to 27 will be able to join the army voluntarily, but later the conscription will become mandatory.

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Latvia abolished compulsory military service in 2006. Since then, professional soldiers have been serving in the country's armed forces, as well as volunteers in the National Guard, performing duties in their spare time from their main work..