Ireland to provide training for Ukrainian military

Around 30 Ireland’s Defence Forces personnel are to provide training for Ukrainian soldiers as part of a larger European force of trainers under an EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission.

RTÉ reported this with reference to the Department of Defence of Ireland, according to Ukrinform.

Originally, this was to have entailed "landmine clearance, combat medicine and other non-lethal supports." But the Department of Defence has now confirmed that troops will also be involved in weapons training.

"Additional training courses approved by Government in July 2023 focus on basic areas of military training which the UAF (Ukrainian Armed Forces) have identified, as well as training on specific de-mining equipment donated by Ireland,” the Government of Ireland said.

It is noted that in accordance with the Programme for Government, it is not supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine with any weapons.

"Ireland's policy of military neutrality is characterised by our non-participation in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. Providing soldiers with basic military training including leadership and drilling instruction does not impact this policy of military neutrality," the statement adds.

Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy stressed that Ireland is providing "very basic military training to transfer soldiers from a civilian life to a life in the Ukrainian Army".

He added that this is being done "in the confines of recognising our military neutrality and recognising our political support for Ukraine."

As reported by Ukrinform, at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv in July, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar expressed his belief in Ukraine's European future and promised to advocate for the earliest possible start of negotiations on its accession to the EU.