Meeting in Brussels on November 15, the EU Foreign Affairs Council in defence configuration agreed to launch a European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) so that its present needs were met and training provided for 15 thousand service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. All of EUMAM Ukraine activities will be implemented on the territories of EU member states. The mission stands as a demonstration of European solidarity extended to help Ukraine to defend its sovereign and territorial integrity.
“We have reached a critical political agreement concerning the mission launch and we need to start the implementation immediately. Next phase rests on three core principles: the needs of Ukraine, effective coordination, and further assistance with weaponry. The EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine is an important step which will further Ukraine’s ultimate victory and deoccupation of all captured territory. Lithuania will contribute all necessary resources to reach EUMAM Ukraine objectives, as well as continue the assistance to Ukraine bilaterally and in other formats” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
Lithuania plans providing training for over a thousand members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine next year, a portion of the number – as part of EUMAM Ukraine. Alongside other partners, Lithuania will deliver a basic military training course, junior command, CBRN protection, paramedic and artillery, military police and special operations training. Lithuania will be training Ukrainian troops in explosive ordnance disposal and demining alongside Nordic counties. The starting point two-year mandate span of the mission is adaptable to the necessity.
EUMAM Ukraine is a part of the wider EU Integrated Approach in support of Ukraine which includes political, humanitarian, financial and military assistance. Since the beginning of this year, the EU has provided over EUR 19 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine to build up its economical, social and financial resilience.
More information about EUMAM can be found here.
Photo: EU courtesy
