EU Plans to Prolong Program for Training Ukrainian Military, Says Borrell
The EU aims to expand its EUMAM program designed for training Ukrainian forces, according to the bloc's foreign policy chief. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The necessary consensus for the program's continuation has yet to be reached, however.
The European Union plans to extend its mission to train Ukraine’s military through 2026, although it has not yet secured Hungary’s agreement, as stated by the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.
Established in 2022 with a two-year mandate set to expire in November, the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in support of Ukraine is facing challenges in its potential extension, as reports about this possibility emerged in the media last week. Those reports were based on the assumption that Hungary would agree, a condition that has not yet been fulfilled.
“Ukrainian armed forces are under big pressure,” Borrell remarked during a press conference in Brussels following a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.
“We will extend the mandate of the EUMAM for the next two years. We hope we will find consensus to increase its mandate,” he added.
Additionally, the EU is exploring options to unlock the European Peace Facility fund, which reimburses member states for military assistance provided to Ukraine. This initiative is also stalled due to Hungary's opposition to unconditional support for Kyiv, as the country advocates for peace negotiations instead of escalating the conflict.
“We are almost there,” Borrell communicated to reporters.
Primarily conducted by Germany and Poland, EUMAM has trained over 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the last two years. The mission is currently led by Bundeswehr Colonel Niels Janeke, with participation from 24 out of 27 member states.
Reports in German media indicate that the EU’s foreign policy service, the EEAS, recommended extending EUMAM back in July. Plans have reportedly been developed through the end of 2026, as leaking documents suggest that Brussels prefers to continue EUMAM rather than deploying NATO troops to establish training facilities within Ukraine.
However, some Ukrainian troops have expressed concerns regarding the training's effectiveness, noting that the instruction does not fully address the severe realities of combat against Russian forces.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
The European Union plans to extend its mission to train Ukraine’s military through 2026, although it has not yet secured Hungary’s agreement, as stated by the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.
Established in 2022 with a two-year mandate set to expire in November, the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in support of Ukraine is facing challenges in its potential extension, as reports about this possibility emerged in the media last week. Those reports were based on the assumption that Hungary would agree, a condition that has not yet been fulfilled.
“Ukrainian armed forces are under big pressure,” Borrell remarked during a press conference in Brussels following a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.
“We will extend the mandate of the EUMAM for the next two years. We hope we will find consensus to increase its mandate,” he added.
Additionally, the EU is exploring options to unlock the European Peace Facility fund, which reimburses member states for military assistance provided to Ukraine. This initiative is also stalled due to Hungary's opposition to unconditional support for Kyiv, as the country advocates for peace negotiations instead of escalating the conflict.
“We are almost there,” Borrell communicated to reporters.
Primarily conducted by Germany and Poland, EUMAM has trained over 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the last two years. The mission is currently led by Bundeswehr Colonel Niels Janeke, with participation from 24 out of 27 member states.
Reports in German media indicate that the EU’s foreign policy service, the EEAS, recommended extending EUMAM back in July. Plans have reportedly been developed through the end of 2026, as leaking documents suggest that Brussels prefers to continue EUMAM rather than deploying NATO troops to establish training facilities within Ukraine.
However, some Ukrainian troops have expressed concerns regarding the training's effectiveness, noting that the instruction does not fully address the severe realities of combat against Russian forces.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
