France has announced plans to send military instructors to Ukraine to train the country’s armed forces. This decision came after reports that some NATO member states were considering sending instructors or contractors to Ukraine to assist with training and equipment repairs. Ukraine has requested help from the U.S. and other NATO countries to train 150,000 soldiers closer to the front lines. The Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that France’s determination to send instructors will likely encourage other partners to join the project. While French officials have not made any official statements on this matter, Estonia’s Prime Minister mentioned that some countries are already training soldiers on the ground in Ukraine.
The debate on the potential presence of NATO troops in Ukraine was initiated by comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron in February. He suggested the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine if requested. However, the U.S., multiple European allies, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have distanced themselves from Macron’s statement. Many countries have not ruled out sending troops for non-combat missions, such as training Ukrainian military personnel. Macron reiterated in May that he would consider sending French troops to Ukraine in the event of a Russian breakthrough or a Ukrainian request. Estonia’s Defense Minister confirmed that the country has not had specific discussions about sending troops to Ukraine.
The Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, alluded to countries that are already training soldiers on the ground in Ukraine without naming specific nations or providing further details. In May, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu held a video meeting with Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi to discuss the plans for sending French instructors. Syrskyi stated that he has signed documents to allow the first French instructors to visit Ukraine’s training centers soon to assess infrastructure and staff. While Paris has not issued any official statements on this matter, the general believes that France’s commitment will encourage other partners to participate in the training program. The Estonian defense minister reaffirmed that there have been no new developments on the idea of sending troops to Ukraine.
Overall, the decision by France to send military instructors to Ukraine for training purposes has sparked discussions within NATO and other European countries. The debate over the potential presence of NATO troops in Ukraine was initially triggered by comments from French President Macron, who suggested the possibility of sending troops if requested. While some countries have not ruled out sending troops for non-combat missions, the U.S. and several European allies have distanced themselves from Macron’s statement. Despite this, Macron has reiterated his willingness to consider sending French troops to Ukraine in specific scenarios. The involvement of various countries in training Ukrainian soldiers indicates a collaborative effort to support Ukraine in the face of ongoing security challenges.
