In a recent update from NATO, officials clarified that the possibility of resuming military exercises within Ukraine is not currently on the Alliance's agenda. This clarification comes amid various discussions on how NATO member states can best support Ukraine during ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region.
The clarification was provided by a NATO official, who chose to remain anonymous, during a conversation with European Truth.
The official's stated, "At the moment, this is not on the agenda," succinctly addresses inquiries into whether NATO is considering reinitiating military drills on Ukrainian soil. This direct response comes amidst speculative discussions on the potential renewal of such exercises.
"And let me add that there are currently no plans to send troops to Ukraine in any shape or form," added the official.
The official refrained from commenting on statements made by individual NATO member state leaders. Instead, they highlighted the ongoing military and political cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, through which the alliance continues to support Ukraine. These efforts include dialogue and assistance that deliberately avoid deploying troops or conducting exercises within Ukrainian territory.
The Background Context
This development follows statements from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who last month advocated for conducting training missions for Ukrainian servicemen within the country. Kuleba argued that such an approach would streamline logistics and save valuable time for Kyiv.
The discussion on NATO's military involvement in Ukraine gained further traction following remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron suggested that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine could not be entirely dismissed, though he later clarified that his comments were made with careful consideration.
As NATO delineates its current strategy regarding Ukraine, the alliance's emphasis on non-military forms of support and cooperation remains central.
