Lithuania is considering sending troops in Ukraine

Lithuanian officials are considering the possibility of sending Lithuanian troops to Ukraine, even if only to train Kiev soldiers, but support in the form of weapons and ammunition remains the main priority for the time being, said Kęstutis Budrys, presidential adviser.

“We are talking about this possibility, and we are doing it openly. There are many nuances about what could happen and under what conditions,” he told reporters Tuesday. “Ammunition is the main tool that is needed today and was needed yesterday, but everything is on the table.”

His comment followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement that the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine in the future is not ruled out.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas also spoke about the possibility of NATO troops going to Ukraine for training purposes on Tuesday. According to his words, Lithuania currently has a mandate to organize a training mission for Ukrainians, and Lithuanian troops are training Ukrainians in the UK, Germany, and Lithuania.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabriellius Landsberis also mentioned this possibility. Lithuania, like Italy, is a member of the EU and NATO.

Should Ukrainian soldiers really be trained?

Without wishing to go into political and military detail, as well as on the consequences of a possible Russian attack on a Ukrainian soldier training center in which there were also Lithuanian soldiers, I frankly wonder what function Lithuanian trainers, drawn from 21,000 active military personnel and 28,000 reserves, would have in training an armed force that, for better or worse, has two years of war experience and could, if at all, train other countries for real war.

Adviser Budrys said that there are “many different models for a training mission,” adding that “different options are constantly being discussed.” A way of saying that training could be a bit more active than normal.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its third year, the issue was discussed at a meeting of European leaders in Paris.

“Today there is no consensus on sending ground troops, but nothing should be ruled out. We will do everything necessary to ensure that Russia cannot win this war,” Macron said after the meeting.