Ireland may contribute a small number of military personnel to train Ukraine’s military following an agreement reached by EU ministers to establish a multilateral training mission.
The proposals were agreed at a meeting of EU ministers in Prague on Tuesday, which was also attended by ministers from Ukraine and Moldova.
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney called the agreement to establish an EU training mission the “next phase of military support” for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. He said Ireland “would like to be involved” and would provide practical support for the mission.
It is understood the mission will involve expanding existing training initiatives established for Ukraine’s armed forces in countries such Germany and Finland, and bringing them under the umbrella of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
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Rather than supplying a large number of troops, the Irish Defence Forces is likely to contribute a handful of senior military personnel who would travel to larger EU countries to provide a short, intensive period of training, likely in niche military areas.
Details will now be worked out, with Mr Coveney saying a plan should be ready by the end of September. The training mission was agreed by all ministers, he said.
The next step is for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who has been highly supportive of such a mission, to make a formal request from EU countries for assistance and for the Defence Forces to be canvassed on what assistance it can provide.
It has been suggested in the Dáil that Ireland may provide assistance in demining and ordnance disposal, an area where the Defence Forces has significant experience. Ukraine has made a formal request to the Republic for such expertise.
Ireland contributes troops to the EU’s military training mission in Mali.
Ireland’s triple lock mechanism means the Government can only commit troops overseas following a UN mandate. Such a mandate is highly unlikely given Russia’s veto on the Security Council.
However, the triple lock does not apply if the number of personnel being sent overseas amounts to fewer than 12.
Mr Coveney is due to attend a meeting of foreign ministers in Prague to discuss the war. One issue likely to dominate is a proposal to limit visas to Russian citizens travelling to the EU. Mr Coveney said Ireland is in “an unusual place” on this issue as it is not part of the free-travel Schengen area and already has a strict regime regarding visas for Russian travellers.
He said Ireland will also need to discuss the issue with the UK due to the Common Travel Area between the two countries. “But certainly we can be part of this discussion.”
