The European Commission has approved €6.1 billion in additional financing aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russia’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks.
The decision will enable Ukraine to purchase air and missile defense systems, ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare equipment. The financing is intended to support the purchase of defense products manufactured by companies based in the European Union and Ukraine.
Patriot missiles included
With these funds, Ukraine will also be able to purchase U.S.-made PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot air defense systems.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on X that the European Union and NATO countries would continue supporting Ukraine. Von der Leyen said the support was intended to help Kyiv achieve a just and lasting peace.
€90 billion loan framework
The financing will be provided through the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan covering 2026 and 2027. Of the loan, €30 billion has been allocated to Ukraine’s budget, while the remaining €60 billion is earmarked for defense spending.
As Russia’s military attack on Ukraine, launched on February 24, 2022, continues, Moscow is making Kyiv’s renunciation of membership in Western military organizations a condition for ending the conflict. Kyiv, meanwhile, considers this condition interference in its internal affairs.