Worried over Russia, Lithuania plans military conscription

Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite speaks during a news conference in the Koue manor December 2, 2014. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania plans to restart military conscription, which it ended in 2008, to address growing concerns about Russian assertiveness in the Baltic region, President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Tuesday.

"Today's geopolitical environment requires us to strengthen the army, and do it as fast as possible," Grybauskaite said after a meeting of the country's defence council.