EU gives final green light to 6 billion euros in defense aid for Ukraine, Patriot missiles purchase
The European Commission's approval allows Ukraine to use funds from the EU's 90-billion-euro ($104-billion) support loan to purchase U.S.-made PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, one of the few weapons capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
On September 11, the European Commission granted final approval for a 6.1 billion euro ($7.1 billion) defense aid package for Ukraine, including a request for the purchase of Patriot missiles. This funding is part of a 90 billion euro ($104 billion) support loan to Ukraine, which aims to cover two-thirds of Kyiv's defense and budgetary needs in 2026 and 2027.
The loan requires recipients to purchase weapons from the EU and Ukraine, with any items containing more than 35% of their components from third countries needing explicit approval.
The EU Defense Commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, confirmed the approval during a press conference in Brussels, stating that Ukraine's military capability hinges on the rapid availability of critical products in sufficient quantities. However, an immediate delivery of Patriot missiles is not guaranteed due to a global shortage. The EU member states have supported the new defense tranche and the Patriot missile purchase, but further steps were pending final European Commission approval.
By approving this latest package, the EU has now authorized all 28.3 billion euros ($32.9 billion) earmarked for Ukraine's defense this year; as of now, 8.4 billion euros ($9.7 billion) has been disbursed after Ukraine provided receipts for cross-checking. Another 4.7 billion euros ($5.5 billion) is currently being processed. Previously, exemptions have been granted for Ukrainian companies to source drone components and U.S. components, including the PAC-3 missile interceptors.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
