On Tuesday, the Latvian government supported the amendments prepared by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to the Law on Military Service, which provides for the possibility of accepting foreign citizens motivated for military service, including from Ukraine, in crisis situations.
Currently, the national regulation does not provide for the possibility of accepting foreigners motivated for military service in crisis situations. On the other hand, Ukraine’s experience shows that citizens of other countries can fight effectively as part of the national armed forces.
The amendments will still have to be adopted by the Saeima.
As the MoD notes, foreigners aged 18 to 60 can join the Armed Forces of Ukraine if they have not previously been convicted of a criminal offense, if they have been found fit for military service and have passed professional psychological selection, if they have appropriate physical training, which allows for combat missions and if they are eligible to legally enter the territory of Ukraine.
Previous military or combat experience is recognized as an advantage, but is not recognized as a mandatory requirement for entry into service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Taking into account the above, the amendments to the Law on Military Service stipulate that in case of general and partial mobilization, citizens of the European Union member states, European Free Trade Association members, NATO members, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand or Ukraine will be able to voluntarily apply for military service in the National Armed Forces.
Foreigners will be accepted into the service by concluding a contract of foreign military service with them, if they meet the health requirements set by the Minister of Defense, have not been employees or agents of the security service of the USSR or any foreign country, and if their acceptance into the service will meet the interests of national security in accordance with the Military Intelligence and Security Service opinion.
The service will be able to accept such foreigners who have not been punished for particularly serious crimes and who legally reside in Latvia.
The foreigner will have to know the national language or at least English or French. Language skills will be tested in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister of Defense.
Foreigners will be able to enter into a military service contract for a period determined by the Minister of Defense, which will not exceed the period of war or state of emergency. Foreigners accepted for military service will be able to set a probationary period of up to six months.
During the period of service, foreigners will be on active duty and will have the status of a soldier. This means that they will receive the monthly salary set for soldiers and the social guarantees provided for soldiers and their family members, excluding the right to a retirement pension. Foreigners will also be able to be assigned ranks, with the exception of officer ranks.
The contract may be terminated early if, for example, these soldiers are found to be unfit for active service due to health conditions, or if the soldiers are to be retired from active service as a disciplinary punishment.
Photo: Latvian Army
