Council greenlights further funding for training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

The Council decided to provide additional funding for training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces under the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).

Such support will be granted through the European Peace Facility (EPF) and take the form of necessary lethal and non-lethal equipment and supplies, as well as services to back the training activities. The financial amount is increased by €194 million totalling €255 million.

The objective of today’s decision is to continue supporting the capacity building of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by EUMAM, based on Ukrainian needs and taking into account the increasing scope and complexity of the training curriculum.

This support will continue facilitating large-scale training of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and enable EU member states to provide required training equipment and supplies.

To date, more than 34 000 soldiers have been trained by EUMAM Ukraine since the launch of the mission.

Background

The European Peace Facility is an off-budget instrument aimed at enhancing the EU's ability to prevent conflicts, build peace and strengthen international security. It enables the financing of operational actions with military or defence implications under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

On 17 October 2022, the Council adopted a decision establishing EUMAM Ukraine with an initial duration of two years. The mission is a direct response to Ukraine’s request for support addressed to the High Representative and provides individual, collective and specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with coordination and synchronisation of member states’ activities delivering training.

In a letter dated 23 August 2023, the Ukrainian authorities acknowledged the important contribution provided by EUMAM Ukraine and requested an extension of EUMAM Ukraine training to the National Guard, the State Border Service, the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine, for those units under the operational control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.