On 20 January, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš at the Riga Castle. General Kalniņš will conclude his duties as Commander of the National Armed Forces and his professional service in the National Armed Forces on 26 January.
Leonīds Kalniņš has served as the Commander of the National Armed Forces for two consecutive terms since 27 January 2017. "This has been a period of increasing intensity under complex security conditions, during which the development of the National Armed Forces has been a critical component in strengthening Latvia’s security and contributing to NATO's collective deterrence and defence. Over these eight years, Latvia's defence budget has grown from 1.7% of GDP in 2017 to 3.45% of GDP in 2025," said President E. Rinkēvičs.
"I would like to express my gratitude to Leonīds Kalniņš for his contributions to the growth of our military forces, the enhancement of defence capabilities, and the development of allied presence in Latvia, from the initial battle group to the NATO multinational brigade led by Canada, which has recently welcomed Swedish contingent as the newest NATO member state," stated President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
During the meeting, the President highlighted that Russia’s full-scale military aggression in Ukraine has led to historic changes in NATO's strategic military plans, capability development, and force readiness.
"In the current security environment, we, both nationally and as an Alliance, must implement effective deterrence and countermeasures against the aggressor’s activities. It is crucial to continue increasing investments in defence and industrial development, adapting to all threats and challenges, and maintaining the necessary military support to Ukraine," emphasised President Rinkēvičs regarding the tasks ahead.
