French Instructors to Soon Train Ukrainian Front-line Troops

France is planning to send military instructors to Ukraine to train the country's armed forces, according to Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi.

This announcement was made on May 27 following a video meeting with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

The decision comes amid ongoing discussions among NATO member states regarding the deployment of military instructors or contractors to Ukraine for training purposes and equipment maintenance.

Kyiv has specifically requested assistance from the U.S. and other NATO countries to train 150,000 soldiers closer to the front lines, as reported by the New York Times.

Syrskyi indicated that he had already signed documents enabling the initial group of French instructors to visit Ukrainian training centers soon. These visits aim to familiarize them with the local infrastructure and personnel. He expressed optimism that France's commitment would inspire other international partners to participate in this initiative.

France's Defense Ministry confirmed that training within Ukraine has been under consideration since a support conference for Ukraine, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in February. The ministry emphasized that understanding Ukraine's specific needs remains a priority in ongoing discussions.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry later affirmed that talks between Kyiv, Paris, and other nations about foreign instructors in Ukraine are continuing. It noted that internal preparations were underway to expedite the process once a decision is finalized, ensuring minimal delays due to bureaucratic procedures.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas mentioned in late May that some countries are already training soldiers on the ground in Ukraine, though she did not specify which countries or provide additional details.

The debate over NATO troop presence in Ukraine was initially sparked by Macron's comments in February, where he mentioned the possibility of sending troops if requested by Ukraine. While the U.S., several European allies, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have distanced themselves from these remarks, they have not entirely dismissed the idea of non-combat missions, such as training programs.

Macron reiterated in May that he remains open to the idea of deploying French troops to Ukraine, contingent on a significant Russian offensive or a formal request from Ukraine.