Latvia moves forward with plan to allow foreign volunteers in military

LONDON

Latvia’s government approved amendments to the Law on Military Service that would enable foreigners to serve in special units of the Latvian armed forces in the event of a military emergency, local media reported.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday made amendments to ensure the admission of foreigners to the armed forces in the event of an exceptional mobilization or if martial law is declared in the country.

A number of other relevant amendments are also planned in the law, according to national broadcaster LSM.

"Latvia is preparing for various military threat scenarios, learning from Ukraine's experience,” Defense Minister Andris Spruds was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.

The aim of this initiative is to organize the regulatory base so that the Baltic state “in the event of a state of emergency or martial law, can promptly accept volunteer foreigners into service in addition to the NATO forces that are already with us,” he added.

According to Spruds, the new amendment would strengthen the country’s defense combat capabilities that would essentially open up a wider opportunity for motivated citizens of other countries to fight for his nation.

Foreign nationals who would like to serve in the army in an emergency situation will be required to stay legally in the territory of Latvia and know the national language or at least one of the official languages of NATO to a suitable standard, LSM reported.

In the case of general or partial mobilization, volunteers from only selected countries will be able to serve in the Latvian armed forces, the amendment states.

These include citizens of the EU, the European Free Trade Association or NATO, as well as citizens of Australia, Brazil, New Zealand or Ukraine.

In order to become law, the changes will need to pass through the usual channels of Saeima debate and parliamentary votes, the broadcaster said.

Since the start of war in Ukraine on Feb. 2022, more than 20,000 volunteers from 52 countries had enlisted to fight for Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.