Netherlands and Germany will train Ukrainian military personnel in mine clearance, says minister.
Earlier this month, the Netherlands joined the training program for Ukrainian military personnel on UK territory.
Sputnik - Germany and the Netherlands are developing a joint program to train Ukrainian military personnel in demining, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced on Tuesday (30).
In light of discussions regarding the possibility of a military training program for Ukrainian fighters led by the European Union (EU), Ollongren nodded in favor.
"The Netherlands supports the European Union's proposal for a training mission to Ukraine. With Germany, we are developing a land clearing training program," the minister tweeted.
Earlier this month, the Netherlands joined a training program for Ukrainian military personnel in the United Kingdom. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, approximately 90 military personnel are currently involved in training Ukrainian soldiers.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Tuesday (30) that the EU discussed creating a training mission for the Ukrainian army long before the crisis in Ukraine escalated.
"Several member states will have different ideas, but this idea of a training mission is an old one. We were discussing it even before the war started. So, the member states are putting this idea on the table. Now is the time to act, it's time to make decisions," said Borrell.
Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24 after the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) requested assistance in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces.
In response to Russia's operation, Western countries launched a broad sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine.