Russia kicks off voting in first parliamentary election since Ukraine war began

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that Europe will provide Ukraine with an additional €3.3 billion for missiles and drones to counter Russia's escalating air war. This follows Russia's intensified attacks on Kyiv, making life in Ukrainian cities increasingly difficult. Ukraine has been pleading for more air defense systems as Russia develops more sophisticated weapons to target Ukrainian cities.

The depleted stock of air-defense interceptors has forced Ukraine to defend vast areas with limited high-end interceptors. The most challenging targets are Russia's ballistic missiles, which can reach Ukrainian cities within minutes and require specialized systems like Patriot for interception. Von der Leyen confirmed that the EU had approved funding for Patriot systems last week, but acknowledged that "clearly more is needed."

The new €3.3 billion package will be used to purchase missiles and drones, bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian attacks. The EU President also revealed plans to use remaining funds from the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program to launch a joint defense initiative with Ukraine, focusing on developing a European air and missile defense system.

This initiative aims to combine Ukraine's battlefield experience and defense innovation with European technology and industrial capacity. Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU has already mobilized nearly €15 billion for Ukraine in 2026 and expects to provide further support. She also highlighted the importance of Ukraine completing reforms in the Verkhovna Rada to unlock additional funding and continue its path toward EU membership. "Europe is stepping up," von der Leyen stated, urging others to increase their support as well.