Security tops agenda at Riga Conference amid fears of Russian threat

Nearly 1,000 days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Latvia remains on high alert. The Baltic nation, home to nearly two million people, shares a 300-kilometre border with Russia, making security and self-defence the country’s top priority.

The concerns are also at the forefront of this year’s Riga Conference which focuses on on foreign policy and security. Jānis Karlsbergs, chairman of the defence-focused NGO Latvian Transatlantic Organisation, said outside the annual forum that “Russia is trying to split us (as) a society, split us in between politicians”.

“This, I do think, is the biggest danger for all of us,” he said.

However, he argued that Russia is “currently extremely weak,” adding, “If we would understand how big and strong we are, they have zero chances”.

In response to the threat, the government reintroduced military service last year. A lottery now decides which Latvian men from 18 to 27 have to sign up for 11 months, with the aim of training 4,000 soldiers by 2028 to counter a potential Russian invasion.

According to Karlsbergs, this will only boost the country’s defences. “It is a great part of integrating naturally security related questions within society,” he said.

“There is no dividing line between society and military, we are the same family.”

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