Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has stated that some countries have already sent their instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian military personnel.
Source: European Pravda, citing the Financial Times
Details: Kallas noted that NATO allies should not fear that sending troops to Ukraine to train its soldiers could draw the Alliance into a war with Russia.
She said that if Russian forces were to attack NATO country instructors in Ukraine, this would not automatically trigger Article 5 on mutual defence.
“I can’t possibly imagine that if somebody is hurt there, then those who have sent their people will say ‘it’s Article 5. Let’s . . . bomb Russia.’ It is not how it works. It’s not automatic. So these fears are not well-founded,” Kallas said.
In Estonia, according to the Prime Minister, sending instructors to Ukraine requires approval from parliament. “It is an open public debate, but I think we shouldn’t rule out anything right now,” she said.
Kallas reiterated her belief that she does not see a risk of direct conflict with Russia if allies help Kyiv train Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian territory.
“Russia’s propaganda is all about being in a war with NATO, so they don’t need an excuse. Whatever we do on our side . . . if they want to attack, they will attack,” Kallas believes.
Background:
- Back in March, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski hinted that a certain number of Western military personnel are already present on Ukrainian territory, and this is not really a secret.
- Madis Roll, the advisor to the President of Estonia for National Security, stated that the Estonian government is “seriously” discussing the possibility of sending troops to the west of Ukraine.
- Later, Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence of Estonia, said that the suggestion to send troops to Ukraine has not found support either in Estonia or at European Union level.
