Despite the exhaustion of funds for Ukraine aid, the Defense Department persists in training Ukrainian troops in Europe and the US. Currently, nearly 1,600 Ukrainian soldiers are actively participating in training programs, including weapons training and leadership courses.
The Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, the largest US military training base in Europe, hosts 1,500 Ukrainian troops, while an additional 80 receive training in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Furthermore, Ukrainian pilots are undergoing F-16 training in Tucson, Arizona, with the objective of achieving operational readiness by the end of this year.
The US has already trained approximately 18,000 Ukrainian troops in diverse programs, including combined arms training and leadership development. Despite the exhaustion of funds, the training initiatives persist. The Biden administration is currently advocating for $61.4 billion in a supplemental national security package for Ukraine aid.
However, uncertainties loom over its approval as ongoing congressional negotiations focus on matters like the southern border and immigration policies. The last announced Ukraine security package, amounting to $250 million, dates back to December 27. Despite challenges, the US continues efforts to address Ukraine’s concerns about ammunition shortages and overall unit preparedness in the face of potential conflict with Russia.
