EU mulls military training mission for Ukrainian forces

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – The European Union is considering launching a military training operation for Ukrainian forces, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday.

“It seems reasonable that a war that is lasting so long requires more than just material support, but also training and help to organize the army,” he said at a news conference in the Spanish city of Santander.

Borrell said the military training mission will be discussed by EU defense ministers at a meeting beginning in Prague on Aug. 29.

“I can’t give more details about an agreement that still has to be forged by member states. But, of course, it would be an important mission. We’re facing a real, conventional war that is mobilizing hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Any mission would have to be up to the task,” Borrell said.

“I hope it’s approved,” he added, expressing his personal views on the training operation.

The diplomat explained that the EU already has 16 military training missions around the world, including in Niger, Chad and Mozambique.