The British Army should consider conscription to deter Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Europe, Latvia’s foreign minister has suggested.

Krisjanis Karins claimed the only way to defend against Russia was to consider a “total defence” model which would involve conscripting citizens to fight on the front lines at short notice.
It comes after General Sir Patrick Sanders, head of the British Army, claimed the UK needed a citizen army to fight a future war against Russia.

“We would strongly recommend conscription,” Mr Karins told The Sunday Telegraph. “We are developing and fleshing out a system of what we call a total defence involving all parts of civil society.”

The minister also said Britain, along with other Nato allies, would have to increase its defence spending in the coming years to protect itself.