News item | 17-10-2022 | 16:57
EU foreign ministers decided at the Foreign Affairs Council to provide additional support to Ukraine through an EU training mission and by making an additional €500 million available from the European Peace Facility (EPF).
Minister Hoekstra: “Russia continues its offensive against Ukraine with horrific missile attacks across the country, deliberately destroying vital civilian infrastructure and victimizing civilians. It is important that we as the EU act in a coordinated and united way, supporting Ukraine even more to defend itself against Russian aggression. That is why it is very good that we as the EU are meeting Ukraine’s need for military training with this training mission. The extra money from the EPF will enable us, and other member states, to continue to provide material support to the Ukrainian army.”
The EU Military Assistance Mission will train Ukrainian soldiers in Poland and Germany, among others. This is done on the basis of what Ukraine itself indicates that it needs, for example in the field of mine clearance or specialist training. The Ministry of Defense is investigating the possibility of secondments to the mission headquarters. In addition, the possibilities of offering trainers and training courses are being looked into.
With this decision, 500 million euros will be made available from the EPF for the sixth time. Total support from the EPF currently amounts to 3 billion euros. The supplies of military equipment to Ukraine are partly financed from this. In addition to Ukraine, support to other countries is also financed from the EPF. The Netherlands considers it important that this support can be continued.
“But the EPF’s spending limit is now approaching. In order to maintain our support for Ukraine and the impact of our arms supplies in the long term, it is wise to create sufficient space for this,” said Minister Hoekstra.