The USA is working on lifting the ban on sending military contractors to Ukraine: mass media
The administration of US President Joe Biden is considering the possibility of significantly expanding the Ukrainian military training program.
According to CNN, this could include increasing the number of troops to be trained to 2,500 per month at a US base in Germany.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the US has trained only a few thousand Ukrainian soldiers, mostly in small groups, in the use of specific weapons systems. The new program involves training much larger groups in more complex battle tactics, including coordinating infantry maneuvers with artillery support.
CNN sources note that this training can be “much more intensive and comprehensive” than the one that Ukraine underwent in Poland or Great Britain.
The proposal to expand the program was made at the request of Ukraine and is currently under interagency review by the US administration.
At the same time, American officials said that the White House representatives are still working on this policy, and it has not yet received final approval from President Joe Biden.
“We have not made any decisions, and any discussion of this issue is premature. The president is absolutely firm that he will not send American troops to Ukraine.” – said one of the officials
Officials have so far refrained from commenting on the specifics of the planning, but emphasize that the US is constantly looking for ways to provide the Ukrainian military with the necessary skills to succeed on the battlefield.
“Allowing experienced US contractors, funded by the US government, to maintain a presence in Ukraine means they will be able to help repair damaged and valuable equipment much faster.”, the officials said.
American officials also note that the cooling and a possible lull in hostilities could create favorable conditions for more intensive training.
It is noted that the F-16 fighters, which Ukraine is to receive in 2024, will require regular maintenance. For this, American companies applying for relevant contracts will have to develop detailed plans to ensure the safety of their employees in Ukraine.
Experts note that even if military instructors are sent to Ukraine, their presence will not be as large-scale as it was in Iraq or Afghanistan. According to Alex Windman, the former director of European affairs at the US National Security Council, this will be a more limited mission aimed at supporting the maintenance and training of the Ukrainian military to work with the latest weapons systems.