EU set to train 15,000 Ukrainian troops, provide more arms funding for Kyiv

European Union foreign minsters are expected to reach an agreement on a mission to train 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers starting next month, and an additional €500 million for funding arms deliveries to Kyiv at their meeting in Luxembourg on Monday (17 October).

They are likely to add additional sanctions against Iran in response to Tehran's recent crackdown on protesters. The ministers will also take a fresh look on the bloc's relations and China, opening the door for a possibly tougher stance towards Beijing.

Two EU officials claimed that the military training would begin in November and take place on EU territory, at one hub in Poland or another in Germany.

Numerous EU countries have been training Ukrainian troops how to use certain weapons, and this will continue.

Since the beginning of the war, the European Union has supported Kyiv with military and financial aid.

Foreign ministers will also agree to contribute €500m ($486m) to a fund that reimburses EU members for arms supplied to Ukraine. This would bring the total amount available for arms for Kyiv at over 3 billion euros.

The additional money will cover the costs of repair and maintenance of weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine, unlike previous tranches.

SANCTIONS FOR IRAN

EU ministers will likely impose travel bans or asset freezes on 15 Iranians who were involved in the crackdown against demonstrators in Iran. These Iranians took to the streets following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22 years old, in police custody.

The transfer Iranian drones to Russia will be discussed by EU foreign ministers. This opens the door for possible additional sanctions that may be implemented at a later time.

Ministers will examine China's relations and make adjustments, officials stated. They noted that Beijing is an important trade partner for Europe and Europe relies on Chinese raw materials and products.

Diplomats claim that Brussels is worried about Chinese President Xi Jinping setting China on an increasingly authoritarian course and is also uneasy about Xi’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The objective isn't to change radically this (EU) policy, but things have happened and ministers are going to be talking about it," an EU official stated, adding that policy may need to be changed in the future.

He stated that the bloc's leaders would discuss China strategy at a summit on Friday and Saturday, and that the EU would closely monitor the opening of the Communist Party Congress on Sunday (16 October).

($1 = €1.0289)

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