Lithuania will help Ukraine in reforming the military education system.

This was discussed at a meeting between Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Natalia Kalmykova, Deputy Minister of Defense, and retired Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras, High Level Strategic Advisor from the Republic of Lithuania.

Ivan Havryliuk, in particular, emphasized the importance of reforming military education and training based on the experience of combat operations.

The First Deputy Minister of Defense emphasized that the training should correspond to the realities faced by military personnel on the battlefield.

“We are interested in your vision of changes to improve the effectiveness of the officer training system and the training of military personnel,” he said.

Natalia Kalmykova, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, spoke about implementing reforms to attract, develop, and retain human capital in the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

She recalled the adoption of the law on certain issues of military service, mobilization, and military registration, which included the introduction of new systems of basic military training and basic military service.

Retired Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras, High Level Strategic Advisor from the Republic of Lithuania, noted that his country supports Ukraine on its path of reforms, in particular, to improve military education.

He also shared Lithuania’s experience in conducting an international independent audit and developing a reform plan.

The parties discussed practical aspects of cooperation, including an audit and recommendations on the military education system, training, personnel system, and motivation of military personnel.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation and further joint programs in the field of military education, training, and personnel management.

Previously, the government adopted a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On Approval of the Procedure for Conducting Basic General Military Training for Ukrainian Citizens Receiving Higher Education and Police Officers.”

The basic training will be open to men and, if desired, women who are enrolled in full-time or dual education.

The training will be conducted so that citizens can acquire the military specialty, skills, and abilities necessary to fulfill their constitutional duty to protect Ukraine.