EU to send more military instructors to Ukraine after truce

This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas during a press conference following an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Copenhagen on August 29, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“I welcome that there is a broad support today to expand our EUMAM military mission mandate to provide training and advice inside Ukraine after any truce. 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,” she stressed.

Kallas explained that this could include “placing EU trainers in Ukrainian military academies and institutions”. In parallel, the European civilian mission can strengthen Ukraine's resilience against Russian hybrid attacks. She also noted that the EU can do more to support Ukraine’s defense industry.

In her view, Ukraine’s battlefield experience “can be also turned into the strength of Europe,” while the European side can assist Ukraine in launching production lines within the EU and encourage investment.

“EU member states identified nine priority areas such as air and missile defense, drones, ammunition. And today, ministers discussed ways to close the most urgent capability gaps and mostly to do it jointly, to do it together and to be more effective,” she stated.

As previously reported, on October 17, 2022, the EU Council approved the launch of EUMAM Ukraine with a two-year mandate to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion and to help develop its military capabilities.

In November 2024, the EU Council extended EUMAM Ukraine’s mandate for another two years and allocated EUR 409 million for its continued operation.

Photo credit: PAP