The European Union has announced plans to establish an official military presence in Ukraine for the first time, a decision made after a strategic review of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) and following an extension of its mandate until November 15, 2028, with a budget of €300 million, according to a TASS report covering a Council statement.
The announcement comes after the Council had previously insisted that EUMAM activities were limited to European territory. The new move is intended to ensure direct and effective coordination with Ukrainian military authorities, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), and like‑minded international partners.
According to the Council document cited by TASS,
The decision follows the recent strategic review of EUMAM. In this context, the Council also decided to establish a presence in Ukraine to ensure direct and effective coordination with the Ukrainian military authorities, the UAF and like‑minded international partners.
The extension of the mission’s mandate was approved on October 9, allowing the EU to continue training Ukrainian soldiers. KyivPost’s recent article noted that, prior to this move, Brussels had set up the mission in support of Ukraine, training more than 100,000 soldiers since its launch in 2022. An EU Council Facebook post also reported that 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been trained by the EU and its member states to date.
These developments mark a significant shift in EU support for Ukraine, as the organization moves beyond advisory and training roles into a formal on‑ground presence within the country.
