EU Rejects Kyiv's Request for In-country Training, Opts for Border Proximity

The European Union has declined Kyiv's request to train Ukrainian soldiers inside Ukraine, citing safety concerns. Instead, the EU will train troops near Ukraine's borders. The EU has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers since Russia's 2022 invasion and aims to train 15,000 more by year's end. The EU also provided 650,000 rounds of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine.

The European Union has rejected a request from Ukraine to conduct military training for its soldiers within the country, citing concerns about safety and operational efficacy. Instead, the training will happen as close to Ukraine as possible, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced on Friday.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the EU has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers within its borders and plans to train an additional 15,000 by the end of the year. Despite Kyiv's assertion that in-country training would be faster and cheaper, several EU countries are wary of sending troops into the conflict zone.

Borrell suggested setting up a coordination cell in Ukraine to enhance the effectiveness of EU military support. He also highlighted that the EU has accelerated its ammunition production, with hopes to meet its target of 1 million shells delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year.

(With inputs from agencies.)