The Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Simonyte, has expressed openness to the idea of deploying Lithuanian training personnel to Ukrainian territory, if necessary, as she told Bloomberg on May 31.
The potential of Western military involvement in Ukraine has sparked debate, particularly following comments by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the future possibility which he stated should not be “ruled out.”
However, such suggestions have been met with caution or disagreement from the United States, some European allies, and the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, distancing themselves from Macron’s remark.
“The operative word is exercise, because we have been engaged in the training of Ukrainian soldiers. This preparation has been in place before the invasion and epitomizes the enduring partnership between the Lithuanian military and their Ukrainian counterparts. Training has been conducted in third countries and within Lithuania itself,” elucidated Simonyte.
“Should there be a necessity, Lithuania might also undertake training missions in Ukraine in conjunction with other willing partner nations.”
As reported by the New York Times in mid-May, certain NATO nations are contemplating the deployment of military instructors or contractors to Ukraine. These personnel would serve to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide support in the maintenance and repair of equipment.
Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur previously noted that the notion of deploying Western troops to Ukraine has gained little traction within Estonia or on the broader EU stage, citing a lack of consensus among allies as to the potential benefits.
Conversely, Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Foreign Minister, has argued that Poland should keep open the possibility of deploying its forces to Ukraine.
As Reuters indicates, an announcement by France to dispatch military instructors to Ukraine could be made imminent, possibly coinciding with an upcoming visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky, as per sources close to the matter.
Reuters: France poised to send military trainers to Ukraine, insiders claim
An announcement from France regarding military instructors heading to Ukraine could be anticipated next week during President Zelensky’s visit, sources suggest to Reuters.
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FAQ
Why has Lithuania offered to train Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian soil?
Lithuania has a longstanding partnership with Ukrainian military forces and has trained them before and after the recent invasion. The training is part of an ongoing exercise and displays the cooperative relationship between the two nations.
What was the response from the US and NATO to Macron’s statement on Western military presence in Ukraine?
The US, several European allies, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have distanced themselves from French President Emmanuel Macron’s comment about the potential for Western military presence in Ukraine.
Are any other countries considering sending troops or military instructors to Ukraine?
Reports indicate that some NATO member states are discussing sending military instructors or contractors to assist Ukrainian forces. Poland and France have also entertained the idea, with France potentially announcing their decision soon.