Netherlands to send 230 soldiers to train Ukrainian troops: MoD

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The Netherlands will send 230 soldiers to be part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) and participate in training Ukrainian soldiers, the Dutch Defense Ministry said.

"The defense ministry will send 230 soldiers to participate in the training mission of the European Union (EUMAM). They will train Ukraine's battalion and brigade headquarters," the ministry's statement read.

The purpose of the EU mission was to offer training to about 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers only this year, the ministry stated.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in January that the Netherlands this year planned to train 400 additional Ukrainian troops under UK's Interflex training mission, which the country joined in 2022 with 100 Dutch military personnel.

EUMAM Ukraine started last October and is expected to last for two years. The mission does not only involve training but arming Ukrainian troops as well. According to reports, it will be stationed in Poland and Germany, and other countries have also joined its work. Its operational headquarters are in Brussels.

Belgium training Ukrainians on underwater drones: MoD

Earlier in February, Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Belgium for training courses on operating underwater drones, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said.

"Today we are welcoming [Ukrainian] soldiers in Belgium as part of the #EUMAM (European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine) mission," she said on Twitter.

"They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. I've expressed to them my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now," she added.

Today we are welcoming 🇺🇦 soldiers in Belgium as part of the #EUMAM mission. They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. I’ve expressed them my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now. pic.twitter.com/owZyKE51Jm

— Ludivine Dedonder (@DedonderLudivin) February 9, 2023

In October, a new package of aid worth 500 million euros ($486 million) was agreed upon by the Council of the European Union to the Ukrainian military along with a Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) to train Ukrainian soldiers.

It is worth noting that the Pentagon announced Monday that the Biden administration was providing a new security package to Ukraine amounting to $460 million.

As the anniversary of the war in Ukraine nears, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev on Monday, promising to deliver increased arms for Ukraine and expressing his unceasing support.