COPENHAGEN – European defence ministers offered “broad support” for a future training mission for Ukrainian troops within the country, contingent upon a ceasefire with Russia, according to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat. However, her proposal to immediately expand the mandate of the European Union training mission did not gain sufficient backing during Friday’s discussions.
Kallas emphasized the EU’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities, stating, “We are the largest provider of training to Ukraine’s military. We have trained over 80,000 soldiers so far, and we must be ready to do more,” following a meeting of defence ministers in Copenhagen, reports 24brussels.
Despite the EU’s contributions, Kallas noted the ministers underscored the necessity for “robust and credible” security guarantees for Ukraine. Diplomatic sources indicated that numerous member states expressed willingness to consider amending the training mission’s mandate, potentially facilitating training operations in Ukraine once a ceasefire is established.
The current mission is limited to training within the EU, with its mandate extended through the end of next year. The proposition to permit training on Ukrainian soil has previously been discussed, although various countries remain hesitant, as uncertainties persist regarding the specifics and execution of a potential ceasefire.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans confirmed that a ceasefire is viewed as a “condition” for initiating training in Ukraine, a sentiment echoed by other nations, including Germany and Belgium. Notably, some of Ukraine’s staunchest military supporters have also aligned with this cautious stance.
Latvia’s Defence Minister Andris Sprūds stated that clarity regarding the ceasefire parameters or peace agreement is essential before moving forward. In contrast, both France and Lithuania have consistently expressed their readiness to deploy trainers to Ukraine even before the conflict concludes.
Hungary’s Position
Kallas remarked that expanding the training mission into Ukraine would also signal a commitment to the United States, which has been vocal about Europe’s leadership role in providing security guarantees. “So again we need to show how we are taking responsibility for certain tracks … Training has been in Europe, and we are ready to do it on Ukrainian soil once there is a truce,” she reiterated.
However, achieving a change in the mission’s mandate necessitates unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, posing a significant obstacle due to Hungary’s position. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, aligned with Russia, has previously obstructed EU efforts to support Ukraine, including blocking the allocation of €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility for military assistance.
European foreign ministers meeting in Copenhagen are expected to explore additional strategies to increase pressure on Moscow and strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position in the ongoing conflict.
