BRUSSELS: The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday that the bloc wants to train more Ukrainian soldiers but remains split on whether to conduct this training within Ukraine itself.
The EU has set a target to train approximately 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year, but with ongoing intense fighting, the bloc seeks to expand its efforts.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated in Brussels on Friday, ahead of a meeting of the EU’s defense ministers, “We will discuss how to increase our training mission” for Ukrainian soldiers. He added that while there is discussion about establishing a coordination center in Ukraine, there is no consensus on training Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian soil with European instructors.
The proposal divides the EU’s 27-member states. Countries such as Estonia, France, and Sweden are in favor of training soldiers in Ukraine, whereas others, including Hungary, are concerned that this could escalate the conflict.
Earlier this year, France’s President Emmanuel Macron caused surprise among allies by not ruling out the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine, although he said that there was no consensus on such a move.
Ministers are expected to discuss extending the European training mission for Ukrainian soldiers, but the current proposal does not include training on Ukrainian soil, according to an EU diplomat.
Borrell also urged EU states to expedite their arms deliveries to Ukraine, following an appeal from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. “Many pledges have been made since June, especially concerning air defense, and in light of the massive attacks on Ukraine and its cities… It is clear that we must respond,” Borrell said.
He criticized restrictions on how Ukraine can use the arms supplied to it, calling it “ridiculous” to suggest that allowing Ukraine to target Russian territory would mean waging war against Moscow.
Despite Ukraine’s calls for lifting these restrictions, Berlin and Washington are hesitant, fearing an escalation with Russia.
