Brussels 23 August : The European Union (EU) is considering a military-training program to train Ukrainian soldiers, EU head of foreign policy Josep Borrell announced.It is sensible to expect EU assistance to Ukraine to include “efforts not just in regards of material supplies as well as in regards of training, as well as assistance in organizing the army”, dpa news agency quoted the top diplomat as saying on Monday.
Six months ago, in the early stages of the Russian invasion, EU Foreign Ministers had suggested the idea of providing training to Ukrainian forces as part of broader discussions about military aid.
Borrell confirmed Borrell said that EU Defence Ministers are expected to discuss the programme in an informal conference in the coming week in Prague but did not provide additional specifics.
The EU has provided Ukraine with 2.5 billion euros ($2.5 billion) in military aid for fuel, equipment medical supplies, weapons and fuel since Russia entered the country on February 24.
The funding is sourced from a fund dubbed the European Peace Facility (EPF) that is a separate entity from the EU budget.
EU treaties prohibit the EU from making use of EU budget funds to finance military projects.
The EPF provides reimbursement to EU countries that provide military aid, and permits the EPF to strengthen the forces of the armed forces of the countries that are partners.
EU member states have donated weapons for Ukraine through bilateral efforts that are independent of the EU.
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