The new EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) is set to last two years. According to diplomat sources, member states want to train 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The mission officially begins on Monday, as soon as foreign ministers have given it their green light. It is by far the largest mission of this kind executed by the EU. “We have never trained so many soldiers, and that in various areas”, said a EU diplomat.
Poland. The fact that the government in Warsaw demanded a central headquarters for the mission caused quite some displeasure in Brussels. After tough negotiations, a larger base is now being established in Poland and a smaller one in Germany. Poland sees itself as the guardian of Ukrainian interests in the EU.
New recruits can go through basic training. Special training is available for more experienced soldiers. In Germany, for example, they will be taught how to use the Iris-T SLM air defense system, which the German government delivered to Ukraine last week and will provide three more next year. Soldiers will also learn about mine detection, weapons of mass destruction and drone defense.
Highly unlikely. This would draw Europe directly into Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, it is intended to “bundle” the member states’ bilateral aid to Ukraine. A higher-level Brussels headquarters is to coordinate this.
According to EU diplomats, the costs are estimated at €50-60 million a year. The EUMAM Ukraine is to be financed from the so-called European Peace Facility (EPF). This is a fund of 5.7 billion euros outside the EU budget, of which Germany, as the largest economy, finances around 20%.
From the EPF fund, the EU has so far financed joint arms purchases for Ukraine totalling €2.5 billion. The foreign ministers now want to increase this amount to three billion.
