In brief

• The EU Council extended the EUMAM Ukraine training mission until 15 November 2028.
• Nearly 300 million euros has been allocated for the two-year period.
• A mission representation will be set up inside Ukraine to coordinate training with Ukrainian military leadership.
• The mission has trained more than 100,000 Ukrainian servicemembers since October 2022.

Mandate extended to 2028

The Council of the European Union agreed on Monday to prolong the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine, known as EUMAM Ukraine, for two more years, until 15 November 2028 (Рада ЄС продовжила до 2028 року місію з навчання ЗСУ й оновила її мандат: що зміниться – Espreso) (ЄС продовжив навчальну місію для військових ЗСУ і вирішив створити її представництво в Україні – Європейська правда). Almost 300 million euros has been earmarked for funding over that period. The decision followed a recent strategic review of the mission's activities.

Presence inside Ukraine

The Council also decided to establish a representation of the mission inside Ukraine. According to the Council, the aim is direct and efficient coordination with Ukraine's military leadership, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and international partners. Being in the country should allow the EU to keep adjusting its training to what the Ukrainian forces actually need.

Broader mandate

The mandate has also been expanded. It now explicitly takes into account lessons learned on the battlefield and aims to strengthen military training in support of Ukraine's defence needs. EUMAM Ukraine will keep working closely with the United States, Britain, Canada and Norway, and will coordinate with the Coalition of the Willing and NATO's NSATU command for security assistance and training.

Background and results

The mission was created by the Council on 17 October 2022, initially for two years, at Ukraine's request. Since then it has trained more than 100,000 Ukrainian servicemembers. Training takes place on the territory of EU member states, and the mission also coordinates the instruction provided by individual member states. Training is supported by deliveries of lethal and non-lethal equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.