The European Union is moving closer to a decision on training Ukrainian troops directly in Ukraine and expanding other forms of support.

Source: Radio Liberty citing internal EU documents, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The option of conducting training inside Ukraine is being discussed in two strategic reviews – one by the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM), which focuses on strengthening the civilian security sector and another by the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), which has so far trained 80,000 Ukrainian troops within the EU.

According to the EUMAM review, three training centres have already been established in western Ukraine, but none are operating at full capacity due to insufficient infrastructure and a lack of qualified external instructors.

The document highlights several drawbacks of keeping the mission outside Ukraine, including logistical strain and the challenge of Ukrainian troops having to travel far from the front line for training.

It also notes that "training in the peaceful conditions of EU territory makes it difficult to use unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare equipment, which are widely employed in this conflict".

However, the review acknowledges that relocating part or all of the EUMAM structures to Ukraine "would require a ceasefire or some form of truce" and that such deployment should be "coordinated with US involvement or security guarantees".

The EU Advisory Mission's strategic review also proposes new areas of work – supporting Ukraine's ability to control its borders with Russia and Belarus, and maintaining a presence along any potential line of contact in the event of a ceasefire.

Other new ideas, based on Ukraine's requests, include assistance in cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure. The EU is also ready to help reintegrate Ukrainian war veterans into the civilian security and civil protection sectors, according to the review.

Background:

• As reported earlier, EU member states have agreed to send military instructors to Ukraine as part of EUMAM once a ceasefire is in place, as a contribution to Europe's long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
• Additionally, the EU's new defence roadmap identifies Ukraine as a key component of the bloc's overall defence readiness.

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