The European Union is considering establishing two military bases in Ukraine to train new soldiers. Russia has threatened to strike Western forces inside Ukraine. 

“We have been discussing the training of the Ukrainian soldiers, also on the soil of Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Wednesday. “We have identified two training centers that could be used for that purpose.”

Western countries have trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers over the four-year war with Russia. The conflict has become a war of attrition, and Kiev is facing manpower shortages. Ukraine has attempted to fill its military with conscripts. 

Russian officials have threatened to attack Western troops deployed to Ukraine. Responding to a European proposal to deploy troops to Ukraine last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, “All such units and facilities will be considered legitimate combat targets of the Russian Armed Forces.”

On Thursday, a Russian general warned that Europe was engaged in a military buildup against Russia. “The militarization of Europe is continuing at an accelerated pace, openly aimed at preparing for a military confrontation with Russia, Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov said.

He added, “The territories are being rapidly fortified, and the relevant infrastructure is being improved.”

On Wednesday, the EU approved a $100 billion loan to Ukraine. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto told reporters, “Unfortunately, Europeans continue to undermine efforts to establish peace.”