Raivis Melnis
Profile
Raivis Melnis is a Latvian politician and military officer who has served as the Minister of Defence of Latvia since May 2026. Born in Balvi in 1977, he graduated from the National Defence Academy of Latvia and earned a master's degree in international security and leadership from King's College London. His military career includes serving as the commander of the 1st Battalion of the Latvian Land Forces and the Baltic Battalion, as well as working as a military attaché to Ukraine. Prior to his appointment as Minister of Defence in the government of Andris Kulbergs, he served as a military cooperation advisor to Prime Minister Evika Siliņa.
Details
- Born
- 1977-11-16 · 48 years old
- Birth place
- Balvi, Latvia
- Education
- National Defence Academy of Latvia, King's College London
- Career
- Military officer, Commander of the 1st Battalion of the Latvian Land Forces, Commander of the Baltic Battalion, Military attaché to Ukraine, Advisor to the Prime Minister
