EU mulls training soldiers inside Ukraine

BRUSSELS — The EU would consider training soldiers in Ukraine “should the necessary political and operational conditions be met,” according to an EU External Action Service document seen by POLITICO.
“A further and a more comprehensive analysis would be needed, in order to fully assess the risks and possible mitigation measures, as well as political and operational advantages of conducting some training” on Ukrainian soil, says the 34-page document. It is dated July 22 and titled “Strategic Review of EUMAM UKRAINE,” the name of the EU training mission for Ukrainian soldiers.
The document was first reported by Die Welt (which like POLITICO is owned by Axel Springer).
French President Emmanuel Macron has been open to the idea of training troops in Ukraine, backed by countries like Lithuania, but others, like Germany, are fearful that would escalate tensions with Russia and endanger the lives of Western trainers sent into war-torn Ukraine.
Those worries are reflected in the document,
“It is highly likely that an EU military presence on Ukrainian soil would be perceived by Russia as a provocation,” it says, and adds that it is “not feasible” for the EU to protect any trainers sent to Ukraine.
The request to train troops in Ukraine comes from Kyiv, with the document saying the Ukrainian government feels “this is deemed as faster, more cost-effective, and logistically easier. Alternatively, training could be conducted in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.”
So far, EU training has taken place primarily in Poland and Germany. By the end of the summer, about 60,000 Ukrainians had undergone training.
The EEAS recommends extending EUMAM’s mandate by two years until Nov. 15, 2026 and exploring the possibility of holding “training closer to Ukraine’s borders.”  
The document was discussed by ambassadors in the Political and Security Committee on Tuesday and is expected to be on the agenda when foreign and defense ministers meet later this week.
Peter Stano, EU lead spokesperson for external affairs, declined to comment.