EU member states agreed on a waiver allowing Ukraine to purchase the critical products it needs for its Patriot air defense systems.
European Commission President von der Leyen announced that a €3.2 billion payment would be made to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Payment to build on previous support
Von der Leyen said the new payment would be added to the €8.4 billion previously provided under the Ukraine Support Loan, including for air defense.
NATO backs waiver agreement
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he welcomed the waiver agreement reached for Patriot systems.
Rutte said NATO allies had allocated more than $10 billion over the past year to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) and the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program for Ukraine.
NATO and the EU will continue working hand in hand to support Ukraine. This once again shows that Europe is taking responsibility.