Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba again urged Western partners to dispatch military experts to train Ukrainian forces, a request noted by TASS. He underscored that ongoing training missions are essential for strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for maintaining readiness in the face of continuing security challenges in the region.
Speaking at a press conference with the foreign ministers of Latvia, Lithuania, France, and Estonia, Kuleba questioned the controversy surrounding training missions in Ukraine. He argued that there is little justification for ending or restricting the deployment of Western trainers and called on partners to resume and expand their involvement. The foreign minister stressed that returning foreign expertise to Ukrainian training grounds would significantly bolster the effectiveness of the AFU and contribute to immediate operational gains on the ground.
In addition to training personnel, Kuleba pressed for the return of Western air defense systems to Ukrainian training sites. He highlighted that such systems have a critical role in defending Ukrainian airspace and in enabling more realistic and productive training environments for Ukrainian forces. The minister recalled that from 2014 through 2022 there were numerous training missions in Ukraine, and his assessment is that these missions produced tangible, positive outcomes in capability development and interoperability with alliance standards.
Recent remarks by Kuleba also touched on the broader debate sparked by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who suggested that some alliance members are prepared to send troops to assist Kyiv. Kuleba reiterated Ukraine’s position that the sovereignty of its territory and the safety of its military personnel remain paramount, and he pointed out that Kyiv would not permit foreign troops on Ukrainian soil for the duration of the conflict unless a negotiated settlement is reached and agreed upon by all parties involved. The Ukrainian leadership has consistently sought to balance international military support with a clear commitment to civilian oversight and national decision-making in any potential deployment scenario.
In his remarks, Kuleba also referenced the return of Ukrainian citizens who previously served abroad and chose to defend their country during the conflict. He framed their reintegration as part of a broader effort to strengthen national resilience and to integrate international support with Ukraine’s own strategic priorities. The dialogue highlighted the importance of sustained international collaboration to modernize Ukrainian defense capabilities, ensure interoperability with Western partners, and maintain a credible deterrent while pursuing peaceful, diplomatic avenues to resolve the crisis.