EU considering new Ukrainian military training mission
"As for military cooperation, we believe that it is possible to strengthen cooperation in this area as well. Examples of this are cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, the development of joint methods to combat cyberattacks, which take place almost daily in the EU. We believe that this is a matter for High Representative Josep Borrell – he will send a mission to Ukraine, meet with Ukrainian colleagues, and consider what joint projects we can discuss on military education, what specific projects we can develop together, strengthening the connection in this area," European Council President Charles Michel said during a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen following the 23rd Ukraine–EU Summit, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
He added that Ukraine's participation in the military operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina was a concrete example of security cooperation with Ukraine.
"Today's meeting is another good opportunity to strengthen these future projects, especially in the field of security," said the President of the European Council.
President Zelensky, in turn, noted that the military training mission implied the adoption of European best practices and exchange of experience.
"We are grateful to Lithuania for this support and this initiative. I know that this mission is being discussed and endorsed by the European Union and that the number of countries increases every day. We support this initiative," Zelensky said.
During a field meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on July 30, it was decided that the Ukrainian military would take part in a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they would join EU's operation Althea. This will be Ukraine's first mission under the auspices of the European Union.
It was also reported that Ukraine and the European Union were discussing various options for further cooperation, including the launch of the EU military training mission in Ukraine.
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