Saeima confirms Raivis Melnis as Minister of Defence

On Thursday, May 28, the Saeima expressed its confidence in the government formed by Andris Kulbergs, confirming retired Colonel Raivis Melnis as Minister of Defence. Taking over the leadership of the sector, the new minister describes his work as a mission focused on strengthening Latvia's defence capabilities by implementing Ukraine war lessons, with a particular emphasis on the security of the country's airspace and borders.

Upon taking office, Raivis Melnis concludes his active service in the National Armed Forces, where he has served since 1996. During this time, he has accumulated extensive professional experience in various command and staff officer positions, which serves as a foundation for a purposeful and result-oriented national defence policy.

"At this moment, the main priority of the defence sector must be the ability to react quickly and purposefully to modern security challenges. The drone incidents in Latgale clearly demonstrate the need to adapt the armed forces even faster to current and future threats. My goal is to integrate the lessons learned during the war in Ukraine into the development of Latvia's defence capabilities as efficiently as possible, providing the National Armed Forces with the necessary resources for the protection of the country's airspace and borders. At the same time, a significant priority will be a strong, well-organized local military industry fully integrated into the defence sector, which will make a major contribution to national security," emphasizes Raivis Melnis.

The Minister obtained his higher education at both Latvian and foreign universities. He holds a Master's degree in International Security and Strategy from King's College London and has expanded his knowledge through military education programs in Hungary, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom. In addition to his service in Latvia, R. Melnis has gained significant international experience at the Permanent Joint Headquarters of the UK Armed Forces and the Joint Expeditionary Force Headquarters, and has participated in several international operations in Afghanistan.

Prior to his confirmation as Minister, R. Melnis served as the Defence Ministry's counselor at the Embassy of Latvia in Ukraine, coordinating Latvia's military support and strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Since February 13, 2026, he also served as an honorary advisor to the Prime Minister on military cooperation issues.

Information prepared by:
MoD Military Public Affairs Department 
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335129
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv