The European Union has approved a military training mission for thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and about 500 million euros in additional funds to buy weapons for the country, AP reported.

The mission, headquartered in Brussels and commanded by French naval officer Vice Admiral Herve Blejean, will initially last two years with a budget of nearly 107 million euros.

The purpose of the mission is to allow Ukrainian armed forces to effectively conduct military operations so that Ukraine can defend its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, effectively exercise its sovereignty and protect the civilian population.

The EU will provide individual, collective and specialized training. Non-EU countries will be able to participate in the training. The initial goal is to train about 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers, mostly in Poland and Germany.

Hopefully, the mission will be up and running by mid-November.

The EU also approved a sixth tranche of 500 million euros in money from the European Peace Facility, a fund used to reimburse member states that provide weapons, ammunition and non-lethal military support to Ukraine.

About 10 million euros of this amount will be used to provide equipment and consumables, such as personal protective equipment, first-aid kits and fuel.