LATVIA’S president has warned European countries to “absolutely” introduce conscription as he dubbed the continent as “weak” militarily in the face of threat from

The Latvian president has urged European countries to "absolutely" introduce conscription as he conceded the continent was "quite weak" militarily.

Latvia recently brought back conscription for men aged between 18 and 27, with the aim to have 61,000 combat ready troops split between active and reserve units. The Baltic country has a 175-mile border with Russia to its east and foreign minister Krisjanis Karins said last year said they wanted to achieve a ‘state of preparedness’ that would dissuade the Kremlin from invading.