In brief
The European Union has decided to establish an official military presence in Ukraine, a first for the block. The move follows a strategic review of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), its extension through 2028, and a €300 million budget. More than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained under the mission, which faces criticism from Russian officials.
The Council of the European Union announced on 10 November that it would establish an official military presence in Ukraine for the first time, expanding the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) to allow direct coordination with Ukrainian forces. The decision follows a recent strategic review of EUMAM and the extension of its mandate until 15 November 2028 with a budget of 300 million euros.
According to TASS, the EU training mission began in 2022 at the request of Ukraine and had been conducted exclusively on European territory until now. The Council’s resolution adds on‑shore personnel to the mission to “ensure direct and effective coordination with the Ukrainian military authorities, the UAF and like‑minded international partners.”
Since the onset of the conflict, the EU mission has trained more than 100 000 Ukrainian soldiers, a figure cited by TASS and reported by the European Council on 10 November. The mission’s core objective, as stated by the Council, is “to contribute to enhancing the military capacity of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.”
“EUMAM Ukraine is a key tool for the EU’s military support to Ukraine,
