UK may send troops to Ukraine to train recruits – The Times

As reported by the agency, plans are being discussed to send small groups of British military instructors to western Ukraine. There, they would help provide basic training to Ukrainian recruits before they are deployed to the front lines in the east of the country.

According to the agency's sources, this decision by the UK would help address some logistical challenges related to sending Ukrainian troops to British bases for training, while also saving costs.

As part of the multinational military operation codenamed "Interflex," tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have received training in the UK. However, according to British Defense Minister John Healey, the biggest obstacle in training Ukrainians is Ukraine providing personnel for training.

Another source mentioned that sending British troops to Ukraine instead of conducting training on military bases in the UK would be cheaper and better.

The source noted that training could be conducted there more quickly, and it would be far from the front lines, significantly reducing the risk.

At the same time, a Ukrainian military source stated that relocating training to Ukraine would send a powerful military-political signal to other countries and to Russia. It would also mark the beginning of the de facto deployment of NATO military infrastructure on Ukrainian territory and serve as a strong deterrent. This decision would also allow British troops to acquire combat skills from Ukrainian forces and enable the testing of the latest weaponry being developed for the war.

The Ukrainian source expressed hope that British leadership would inspire France to follow suit and conduct training in Ukraine, especially since discussions in Paris appear to have stalled due to political reasons.

Training military personnel in Ukraine

In early June, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to establish a coalition of countries willing to train Ukrainian troops on Ukrainian territory, rather than abroad.

At that time, Paris sent a corresponding proposal to the Baltic states, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States. However, many within NATO oppose this idea due to concerns about becoming a party to the war with Russia.

Subsequently, media reports indicated that the Netherlands might join the French coalition.