Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics advocates for mandatory military conscription in Europe, emphasizing the continent's military vulnerability and the need for increased defense spending due to uncertainties in U.S. relations. In 2023, Latvia introduced conscription and raised defense spending to 4% of GDP. Rinkevics stresses that neighboring countries to Russia must bolster their military presence amid rising risks. Other EU leaders echo these sentiments, acknowledging the changing global landscape and the necessity for Europe to step up its defense efforts.
"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."
"Europe does have to step up in terms of its own defence. The phrase 'step up' is used a lot in recent weeks and Europe does have to step up in terms of its own defence."
Collection
[
|
...
]