Some states have already sent their instructors to Ukraine to train the Ukrainian military, according to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, as reported by the Financial Times. She stated that NATO allies should not be concerned about the deployment of troops to Ukraine for training, as it would not automatically trigger Article 5 on mutual defense. Kallas mentioned that some countries were already training soldiers in Ukraine at their own risk. She emphasized that if Russian troops attacked NATO training personnel, it would not prompt a military response from the Alliance. Kallas also expressed her belief that there was no risk of a direct conflict with Russia if allies assisted Ukraine in training its soldiers on Ukrainian territory. The Estonian government is considering sending troops to non-combat roles in Ukraine.

“I can’t possibly imagine that if somebody is hurt there, then those who have sent their people will say ‘it’s article five. Let’s… bomb Russia.’ It is not how it works. It’s not automatic. So these fears are not well-founded,” Kallas said.

ملخص الأخبار

• Prime Minister Kallas emphasized the need for parliamentary approval in Estonia to send instructors to Ukraine.
• Estonia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands considered sending auxiliary personnel to Ukraine in February 2024.
• Kallas highlighted the persistent Russian propaganda focusing on war with NATO.