In particular, EU High Representative Josep Borrell wrote in his own blog on the website of the European External Action Service that the EU intends to formally launch a military training mission for Ukraine at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on October 17, despite threats and blackmail from the Kremlin regime, Ukrinform reports.
"At the next Foreign Affairs Council on 17 October, I hope we can formally launch our training mission for Ukrainian armed forces," Borrell wrote.
Read more: Ukrainian Troops Will Get New Weapons From Italy
Commenting on the recent events surrounding Russia's attempt to annex the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons for their "defense", the high representative of the EU emphasized the EU's continued strong support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
"As EU, we have made it clear that we will never accept the annexation and that we will not be intimidated by Russia's threats and escalations. On the contrary, we will reinforce our strategy of supporting Ukraine - militarily, financially and politically; upping the pressure on Russia with more sanctions and supporting our international partner to handle the fallout of the war. […] At the same time, we remain ready to pursue a diplomatic solution, should the circumstances return to do so in a meaningful way," Borrell said.
At the same time, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in an interview to France24 during the parliament's plenary sitting in Strasbourg that the European Union countries willing to deliver Leopard II tanks to Ukraine will be reimbursed from the European Peace Facility, The Kyiv Independent reports.
The Ukrainians "need weapons that they can fight with in order to regain their territory, and that means, for example, Leopard II tanks that several members states have," Metsola said.
The supply of main battle tanks and IFVs to Ukraine by allies is one of the key factors in the issue of rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and earlier Defense Express wrote that Pentagon Explained When Ukraine Will Receive Western Abrams and Leopard 2 Tanks.
Metsola has also called for Ukraine's "accelerated" entry into the EU. "We have a country that has shown us its intention, and overwhelming willingness to join, and surpassing expectations and meeting goals that other countries would have taken months or years," Metsola strassed.
As Defense Express previously reported, Pentagon is Forming New Command Amid Threat From russia to Ukraine and its Neighbors while Ukrainian Troops are Pressing russians in the South Near Kherson, Using SAS Tactics, While Occupiers are Lamenting the Loss of C2.
Read more: Became Known About New Package of Czech Military Aid to Ukraine
