training programs
EU states want to train Ukrainian soldiers
Ukrainian soldiers being trained by British forces in southern England. photo
© Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/dpa
For months now, Ukrainian armed forces have been given Western know-how for fighting the attackers from Russia. Now the EU will also play a role – to a considerable extent and with significant support from Germany.
The EU states have agreed on a training mission for the Ukrainian armed forces. The committee of permanent representatives of the 27 member states unanimously approved plans in Brussels on Friday that provide for training programs for around 15,000 soldiers, as several diplomats from the German Press Agency confirmed.
To minimize the risk of Russia attacking the training mission, training is not organized in Ukraine, but in countries such as Poland and Germany.
Germany wants to make a “significant contribution”.
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday that Germany would make a significant contribution to the mission. According to information from EU circles, the Bundeswehr is to train up to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the next few months.
The EU mission is initially set to last two years. For example, it is intended to train snipers and impart skills in areas such as mine clearance and medical services.
Several EU countries are already training
In view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell discussed a new training program for the Ukrainian armed forces in August. Several EU states are already training Ukrainian soldiers on the basis of national agreements. Germany has recently been particularly involved in the areas of air defense and artillery. In addition, a proposal was drawn up together with the Netherlands on how mine countermeasures training could be strengthened.