NATO to set up training bases in Ukraine, standardize army
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Spanish newspaper El Pais cites diplomats as disclosing that NATO's defense chiefs will finalize and present the project plans during the coalition's Washington summit in July, where it is expected to be approved.
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a visit to Kiev, Ukraine in July 2017. (AFP)
NATO is preparing to establish a new training center for the Ukrainian military, a project intended to supplement the European Union's training mission and assist Kiev in meeting the coalition's standards, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Thursday, citing diplomatic sources.
The sources informed the outlet that the new initiative will focus on enhancing the military readiness of Ukrainian personnel, as well as providing training in strategy and defense administration management.
Read more: NATO, Europe must prepare to be abandoned by Washington: Atlantic
According to the report, NATO defense chiefs are currently in the final stages of working out the specifics of the project at their meeting in Brussels, while it is anticipated to be formally approved at the alliance's summit in Washington in July.
Discussion points include the source of financing, whether it will be from NATO's accounts or a special fund, and whether training personnel should be permanently deployed to the base or sent by NATO states for shorter periods with rotation.
Direct confrontation down the line?
Moscow has repeatedly warned that NATO's provocations and threats to its national security might lead to a direct confrontation between Russia and the coalition.
Read more: 'Idiots' in NATO countries pushing world to WWIII, says Medvedev
Many Western officials have also expressed fear of such a scenario, opting not to get too involved in the war, including in the type of aid they provide Kiev.
But Washington and the UK continued to pressure their NATO allies into increasing support to Ukraine and raising military spending.
In the past period, Ukrainian troops had been traveling to foreign bases to receive military training and battle preparations by host nations as part of a UK-led international program dubbed "Operation Interflex."
Last October, the United Kingdom was preparing plans to establish a direct presence in Ukraine and set up training centers and camps in the country.
Britain's Defense Secretary Grant Shapps also called, during a visit to Kiev in 2023, for more British arms contractors to build production sites in Ukraine to help with supply chain issues and delays.
