The European Union remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion. A clear demonstration of that pledge came this Friday when EU defense ministers agreed to increase the number of troops trained under the European Training Mission to 75,000 for this year. This marks an expansion of 15,000 over the initial target for 2024. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called the decision good news after an informal meeting, which also confirmed the establishment of a coordination cell in Kyiv focused on military matters.
Borrell stressed that it is essential for the Twenty-Seven to adapt to Ukrainian needs and to speed up ammunition delivery. He noted that the new coordination cell will help the EU work more effectively with other parties involved in Ukraine’s defense, such as NATO, and will comprise four to six experts. He clarified that this is not a mission operating inside Ukraine, but a coordination unit designed to enhance the Union’s overall effectiveness. He also dismissed calls from some states, including Ukraine itself, for training troops on Ukrainian soil.
He added that some member states may find it more appropriate to train close to Ukraine. Sweden is cited as an example of willingness, while others remain cautious. For now, the commitment is to train as close as possible to Ukraine without operating on Ukrainian territory. He noted that distance may not be decisive for training outcomes, highlighting that countries far from Ukraine are delivering high-quality instruction and excelling in their contributions.
Spain: 6,000 Soldiers Trained
Spain is on track to end the year with about 6,000 soldiers trained within its own borders. The defense minister said Spain is prepared to increase efforts as needed because the mission is seen as essential. However, Spain intends to continue conducting its training domestically rather than deploying trainers to Ukraine, underscoring the positive results already achieved from the current mission.
During the meeting, frustration among several European capitals over Hungary’s government blocking a 6.6 billion euro tranche intended to fund arms purchases for Ukraine was again evident. Borrell reminded ministers that this money represents taxpayers’ funds rather than Ukrainian money being reimbursed. He warned that a timely solution is necessary and suggested that he expects to find one, one way or another.