Military service in Latvia will be mandatory again, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks announced, at a time of tensions with neighboring Russia and the war in Ukraine, media in the region report.

- Latvia's current military system has reached its limits. At the same time, we have no reason to believe that Russia will change its behavior, said Pabriks.

Conscription is supposed to be reinstated in 2023 and will be for men only.

After joining NATO, Latvia waived compulsory military service. Since 2007, the military of this Baltic country, a member of the European Union, has been made up of professional soldiers and National Guard volunteers, who serve in the infantry on weekends and on a part-time basis.

The country, which has a population of less than two million and borders Belarus and Russia, has 7.500 active-duty soldiers and National Guard members, backed by 1.500 NATO troops.