The EU officially launched a Military Assistance Mission for the Ukrainian military

Today, the Council of the European Union is launching the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) to continue supporting Ukraine against the ongoing Russian aggression.

The Council of the EU reported this.

It is emphasized that the aim of the mission, formally established on 17 October, is to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to allow them to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders, as well as to protect the civilian population.

EUMAM has a non-executive mandate to provide individual, collective, and specialized training for up to 15 000 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel over multiple locations in the territory of EU member states.

Vice Admiral Hervé Bléjean, Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), will serve as the Mission Commander.

Furthermore, the Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €16 million to support the capacity building of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the EUMAM Ukraine.

It is noted that this step was developed based on the operational needs of Ukraine. It will finance the provision by EU Member States of:

• ammunition, military equipment, and platforms designed to deliver lethal force;
• transportation, custody, and maintenance and repair of the equipment financed through the assistance measure.

The mission will have a duration of 24 months and would add to the successive EU contributions for Ukraine under the EPF, which now amount to over €3.1 billion.

The mission will ensure coordination with bilateral measures of member states in support of Ukraine, as well as with other international partners, and will be open to the participation of third states.

Instead of a single training center in the countries of the European Union, separate training courses for specialties should be organized.

As part of this mission, the Netherlands is preparing the sixth aid package within the European Peace Fund for Ukraine. It includes €500 million to be allocated.

Finland might be joining the countries where the training of the Ukrainian military would be conducted.