Poland Hopes NATO Training Centre Prepares Ukrainians Abroad for Combat

A new NATO-Ukraine training centre in Poland aims to train potentially "millions" of Ukrainian civilians living abroad, according to Jacek Siewiera, head of Poland's National Security Bureau. The centre, announced earlier this year, seeks to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities against Russia.

Siewiera discussed the centre's potential during the NATO summit in Washington. He highlighted its role in training Ukrainians for volunteer forces, particularly those currently residing in European countries. "The volunteers who are now present in European countries and are willing to defend Ukraine in the future, because there are millions of them," he said.

NATO's Long-term Commitment

The centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland, underscores NATO's long-term commitment to Ukraine. This comes amid uncertainties about future US support for Ukraine and NATO, especially with the possibility of a new Donald Trump presidency. The centre also aims to share Ukrainian military tactics with NATO members.

Eastern European countries like Poland are increasingly concerned about Russia's growing military strength. They warn that President Vladimir Putin might target more countries if he succeeds against Ukraine's Western-allied government. "For NATO member militaries, those details ... are absolutely crucial to have," Siewiera noted.

Training Volunteer Forces

The new centre is also intended to help Ukrainians teach NATO members effective and affordable combat techniques. These include using civilian drones on the battlefield. Siewiera emphasised the importance of these lessons for NATO forces.

Ukraine is struggling to recruit enough soldiers due to its smaller population compared to Russia. The new training centre could help alleviate this issue by preparing Ukrainian volunteers living abroad for combat roles. "Some of those forces would prefer to have their training in European countries," Siewiera added.

Use of NATO Weapons

Siewiera also addressed the issue of Ukraine using NATO-supplied weapons against Russian targets within Russia. The Biden administration has restricted Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons inside Russia to avoid escalating the conflict further. "It's up to Ukrainians how they use their weapons once they get them," he argued.

More than two years into the war, Ukraine faces difficulties fielding enough recruits. This new centre aims to provide essential military training to Ukrainian civilians willing to return home and join the fight against Russia.

The establishment of this joint training centre reflects a strategic move by NATO and its allies to support Ukraine while preparing for potential future conflicts involving Russia. It highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen military alliances and enhance defence capabilities in Eastern Europe.