Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union and NATO are intensifying their training cooperation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This announcement came after representatives of the European Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the NATO Security Assistance and Training Program for Ukraine (NSATU) met at the EUMAU Special Training Command in Strasberg, Germany, a few days ago. According to a statement from NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the meeting focused on close coordination between the two training formats to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they move towards acquiring modern operational capabilities trained by Western experts. Under the title "Stronger Together: EU and NATO Intensify Training Cooperation in Strausberg, Germany," the weekly bulletin issued by NATO Headquarters stated that in a strong signal of European and transatlantic unity, Brigadier General Maurice Timmermans (NLD), Deputy Commander of the European Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), and Major General Mike Keller (DEU), Deputy Commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training Program for Ukraine (NSATU), met on July 29, 2025, at the EUMAU Special Training Command in Strausberg, near Berlin.
The meeting focused on close coordination between the two training programs to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their journey towards modern operational capabilities trained by Western experts. EU-NATO cooperation is based on trust, transparency, and a shared understanding of the security and political situation, as well as Ukraine's resulting needs.
Our exchange sends a strong signal of unity—not only to Ukraine, but also to our international partners. Brigadier General Maurice Timmermans emphasized that “coordination, transparency, and mutual trust are critical to the success of our training efforts.” He added, “With partners like NATO, we can create synergies that far exceed the sum of individual actions.” Major General Mike Keller emphasized the importance of this shared commitment, saying, “The European Union and NATO are setting an example of how to translate shared values into concrete action. Our exchange of expertise sends a strong signal of unity—not only to Ukraine, but also to our international partners.” Established in 2022, EUMA Ukraine is the first EU military assistance mission conducted on European soil. Since then, more than 76,000 Ukrainian service members have participated in more than 600 training modules, including general combat training and complex specialized skills in areas such as medical support, command and control, and explosive ordnance disposal. In addition to the Combined Arms Training Command in Zagan, Poland, which is responsible for training Ukrainian forces outside Germany, the Special Training Command, based in the German state of Brandenburg, is a key component of the mission on German soil. Approximately 100 troops from 17 countries, including Ukrainian permanent representatives, ensure flexible and direct coordination of training needs and their eventual operational implementation.
NATO is also closely involved in supporting Ukraine through the NATO Security Assistance and Training Program for Ukraine. The command, based in Wiesbaden, Germany, is responsible for coordinating arms deliveries, overseeing training activities, and supporting the long-term development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces—all in close coordination with Ukrainian authorities and international partners.
The Strausberg meeting makes one thing clear. The European Union and NATO are combining their strengths—through harmonized training standards, clear communication, and a common goal: to sustainably strengthen Ukraine's defense capability.