Ukraine-NATO training center opens in Poland

The Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC), established by a decision of the NATO Washington Summit, is a unique joint institution between NATO and Ukraine. Its goal is to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and enhance its interoperability with the Alliance.

During the official opening ceremony in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Radmila Shekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General, highlighted the significance of this initiative, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"The opening of the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center […] is a real step forward for NATO and Ukraine. The work at JATEC will bring Ukraine closer to our Alliance. It will help the Alliance and Ukraine become stronger. […] This is really a one-of-a-kind entity. A unique civil-military organization, the first to be jointly run by NATO and a partner nation. Here, we will learn from Ukraine and we will learn from their first-hand experience of fighting Russian aggression. JATEC will strengthen Ukraine defense and security sector, enhance its deterrence and defense for the long term, but it will also help Ukraine become fully interoperable with NATO," Shekerinska said.

She recalled that the decision to establish JATEC was made at the NATO Washington Summit in 2024 and thanked Poland, Ukraine, and NATO leadership for launching the center within just a few months.

She stressed that JATEC is just one part of NATO's enduring commitment to Ukraine. NATO allies continue to supply Ukraine with weapons, equipment, and ammunition, accounting for 99% of all military aid deliveries. To coordinate these efforts, NATO has established a specialized command in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Allies have exceeded their initial commitment of EUR 40 billion in military aid to Ukraine, pledged in Washington, with over EUR 50 billion already delivered in 2024. More than half of this assistance came from European Allies and Canada.

"With NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package, we are also supporting Ukraine become more resilient, so it can better provide for its own security, and carry out important reforms. In a nutshell, we are supporting and helping Ukraine to defend itself today. And keeping Ukraine strong means it can negotiate from a position of strength. The stronger it is, the higher are the chances of a just and enduring peace. We are also committed to helping Ukraine become more capable for the long term, so that it can deter any Russian aggression in the future," Shekerinska said.

She also added: "JATEC is also an asset for NATO, and I want to be very clear about this today. It also strengthens NATO's own deterrence and defense. We will listen, learn and act on the experience of our Ukrainian friends who have fought back so heroically against the Russian aggression. This shows that Ukraine is a close partner to NATO, and that we stand up by what we have decided."

The official opening ceremony was attended by Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice, Olha Stefanishyna.