Work

Factors affecting the willingness of Latvian youth to defend the country in the context of the Russo–Ukrainian War

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine destabilized the security situation in the region and heightened the military threat to Latvia. This article addresses two research questions based on 51 in-depth interviews with Latvian youth. What themes shape the views of Latvian youth concerning willingness to defend a country in the context of the Russo–Ukrainian War? What differences exist in views about willingness to defend Latvia depending on native language? This study expands existing knowledge on the factors influencing willingness to defend a country by identifying nine factors.

Source: Journal of Baltic Studies

DOI: 10.1080/01629778.2026.2721282

Author: Ieva Bērziņa

Institutions: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, National Defence Academy of Latvia

Language: English

Topic: European and Russian Geopolitical Military Strategies

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Latvijas Zinātnes Padome