The U.S. has no plans to send military trainers into Ukraine and would likely only consider doing so once the war with Russia has concluded, stated the top U.S. general on Monday. This announcement follows France’s indication that it might send troops to train Ukrainian forces.
Over two years into the conflict, Russian forces continued to make slow advances in eastern Ukraine, taking advantage of Ukrainian manpower shortages and delays in Western arms supplies. This situation has sparked discussions about what additional measures the U.S. and its allies can take beyond providing billions of dollars in weaponry, intelligence, and external military training to Ukraine.
“Currently, there are no plans to deploy U.S. trainers to Ukraine,” said General Charles Q. Brown, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. “Once the conflict ends and conditions improve, I would anticipate the possibility of bringing trainers back.”
Before Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the U.S. had around 150 military trainers stationed in Ukraine. In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested in February that European nations might send troops to Ukraine for training. However, this idea faced opposition from other European leaders, and Macron’s foreign minister clarified that France could send troops for specific needs but not for combat against Russia. French diplomats noted that Macron aimed to provoke discussion on the matter rather than propose concrete plans.
General Brown made his statements alongside U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after a meeting of Ukraine’s military supporters. Both officials emphasized the importance of continued support for Kyiv as it faces increased pressure from Russian forces in Kharkiv.
Additionally, the Pentagon dismissed a suggestion by former top State Department official Victoria Nuland that President Joe Biden should allow Ukraine to use U.S. weaponry to strike targets inside Russia, a move the White House fears could provoke a direct conflict with Moscow. General Brown confirmed that Ukraine has not used U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems within Russian territory.
