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9th March 2025
02:23pm GMT
Earlier today, it was reported that the Latvian president has told European countries that they should 'absolutely' introduce conscription, after conceding that the continent was 'quite weak' on a military front.
Edgars Rinkevics told Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that European countries should increase spending amid the 'ups and downs' in relations with the US.
Latvia pushed defence spending to 4 per cent of the country's GDP and introduced conscription for men in 2023.
Rinkevics said: "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. People are following the news. Of course strong reassurances [are] one thing, but another thing is other European governments [have] to make sure that we all get stronger."
He added that he believes both Europe and the US 'understand the risks and the threats' of the future of NATO.
Rinkevics also called Latvia and fellow Baltic states Estonia and Lithuania the 'litmus test of NATO' and urged an increase in the 'overall presence' of NATO on their borders with Russia amid increase risks.
The three Baltic countries - located on NATO's eastern flank with Russia - are among the highest defence spenders in NATO as a percentage of GDP.
They are also, relative to their size, among the biggest supporters of Ukraine and have been the strongest voices in Europe raising the alarm about the threat posed by President Vladimir Putin for years.
Now, the UK have responded to his claims, saying that they are not considering bringing back conscription but that decisions may be needed in the future to respond to the 'new reality' we are living in.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said: "We are not considering conscription, but of course we have announced a major increase in defence expenditure.
"We do have to recognise that the world has changed. The phrase 'step up' is used a lot. Europe does have to step up in terms of its own defence.
"President Trump isn't actually the first president to say that, but he said it more loudly and with more force than his predecessors - so, I think we have got to recognise that moment."
"When the world is changing as fast as it is, it's important that we don't cling on to old assumptions.
"I think the prime minister has played a tremendous role in recent weeks in responding to that situation and explaining it to the public.
"That is why the decision on increasing defence expenditure was needed.
"It may be why other decisions are needed in the future that respond to a new reality, and that we don't find ourselves caught operating under the same assumption as we used to in the past when the situation has changed."
