Mission Must Continue: European Union Has Trained Over 52,000 Ukrainian Troops

The European Union Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM) has trained more than 52,000 Ukrainian soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers. This is three times higher than the announced expectations. This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The need to continue this mission was discussed the day before by the Chief of the EU Military Staff, Lieutenant General Mikael Van der Laan, and Deputy Minister of Defence for European Integration Oleksandr Balanutsa. 

"I support the continued education and training of the Ukrainian military within the EUMAM training mission. We thank Ukraine for its fight against Russian aggression and we must do everything we can to support it," said Lieutenant General Michael van der Laan.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine are currently forming new brigades and we need quality training for our military. That is why the continuation of the EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine is critical. We are grateful for the training already provided and urge you to maintain and increase the volume and pace," said Balanutsa.

The EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine was launched in autumn 2022 following a meeting of 27 EU Defence Ministers and is designed to last for two years. However, it can be extended if necessary - this is the focus of the current negotiations between the Ukrainian military leadership and EU leaders.