The European Union is considering sending its military instructors to Ukraine “when circumstances permit,” Spanish newspaper El País reported on July 13, 2023, citing an internal document from the EU’s diplomatic service.
Expanding the training mission
The European External Action Service (EEAS) wants to expand the EU’s military assistance mission for Ukraine, which currently trains Ukrainian troops in Germany and Poland, and eventually deploy it inside Ukraine, according to the report, as summarised by European Pravda. The deployment is expected to come only after the end of hostilities.
Security commitments
The proposals form part of the “security commitments” the EU is preparing for Ukraine. According to the document, the EEAS also wants to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and increase co-financing by member states for advanced weapons, including fighter jets and missiles.
Other commitments listed include helping to repair equipment sent to Ukraine, demining, and supporting Ukraine’s cybersecurity and resilience against hybrid threats, disinformation and foreign interference.
After Vilnius
The report came a day after the NATO summit in Vilnius, where G7 countries signed a joint declaration pledging long-term security commitments to Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression, with individual countries to negotiate bilateral agreements with Kyiv.
The EU’s military assistance mission for Ukraine was launched in November 2022.
Sources
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