The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, confirmed on Wednesday that Brussels is scoutng several locations to train Ukrainian troops within their own borders, provided a ceasefire agreement is reached.
Speaking at a gathering of EU defence ministers, Kallas revealed that preliminary logistical work is already underway. "We have been discussing the training of Ukrainian soldiers, also on the soil of Ukraine," she stated. "We have identified two training centres that could be used for that purpose."
While Kallas declined to provide specific details regarding the locations, the move signals a significant shift in the bloc’s long-term security strategy. To date, the 27-nation union has trained approximately 90,000 Ukrainian personnel, but exclusively on EU soil.
Security Guarantees and Infrastructure
The proposal forms part of a broader package of Western security guarantees intended to bolster Ukraine under any potential deal to end the four-year conflict. An EU official suggested that renovations of these facilities could commence even before a formal cessation of hostilities.
The prospect of a European military presence has gained momentum among Ukraine’s staunchest allies. Led by Britain and France, several nations have indicated a willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine should diplomatic efforts by the United States succeed in brokering an end to the war.
Moscow’s Warning
The plan faces stiff opposition from the Kremlin. Russia has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate the presence of NATO-aligned troops on Ukrainian territory. Moscow has explicitly stated that any such personnel would be considered "legitimate targets" for its military.
