On August 29, 2025, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative, announced strong support among EU member states to extend the Military Assistance Mission targeting Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) to include training sites within Ukraine once a ceasefire is achieved. This mission has successfully trained approximately 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers since its inception in November 2022, involving 24 EU countries and Norway. Kallas expressed optimism about the mission’s potential expansion, indicating a shift in strategy towards direct support on Ukrainian soil.
However, Kallas noted a division among member states regarding the timing of this extension. Some nations prefer to wait until a formal ceasefire or truce is established between Ukraine and Russia, while others advocate for a proactive redesign of the mission to facilitate an immediate response upon cessation of hostilities. The complexity of political negotiations and operational logistics poses additional challenges in determining the feasibility of deploying trainers in Ukraine directly.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds highlighted that any training initiative would necessitate clear agreements on the parameters of a potential ceasefire or peace agreement. Similarly, Estonia’s Hanno Pevkur expressed readiness to send instructors but emphasized the importance of ensuring that Ukrainian forces are adequately prepared for training operations. He noted the logistical and security challenges involved, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Russia’s adherence to a ceasefire agreement.
Kallas argued for military training as part of the security guarantees that the EU could offer Ukraine. She suggested that ongoing discussions within the Coalition of the Willing—comprising about 30 primarily European countries—aim to clarify what safe, effective support can be provided to Ukraine both immediately and in the longer term. Notably, Ukraine is seeking NATO and EU membership as definitive security assurances while simultaneously requesting ongoing military supplies and intelligence support to strengthen its defense capabilities.
In addition, European allies, particularly France and the UK, are looking to create a “reassurance force.” This initiative intends to station troops in non-combat areas of Ukraine to provide additional security. Yet, some countries are hesitant to participate without U.S. involvement. Despite Donald Trump indicating unwillingness to commit U.S. troops in Ukraine, he has offered support through intelligence sharing and aerial defense capabilities. Kallas emphasized that European nations must take the lead in establishing their security guarantees.
During the meeting in Copenhagen, ministers also discussed strategies to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities while investing in the EU’s military infrastructure. Identifying nine key priority areas such as air defense and drone technology, the EU is proposing a €150 billion loan scheme aimed at accelerating equipment procurement processes to reduce costs. Member states are expected to designate “lead nations” for each priority area and negotiate contracts to meet these needs by the end of October, reinforcing the commitment towards a more unified European defense framework.
