{
  "id": 10635306,
  "title": "Khmara calls on partners at EU Council meeting to join in funding jet-powered drone interceptors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/khmara-calls-on-partners-at-eu-council-meeting-to-join-in-funding-jet",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T07:12:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Interfax-Ukraine",
    "slug": "interfax-ukraine",
    "url": "https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1211454.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara addressed the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, urging partners to contribute to funding jet-powered drone interceptors. Addressing Ukraine's security situation, Khmara highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by enemy threats, particularly the increasing use of jet-powered drones like the Shahed. These drones are currently being intercepted using interceptor missiles, but Ukraine seeks more cost-effective solutions and additional support.\n\nKhmara emphasized the importance of EU funding to accelerate the delivery of interceptors to Ukraine's defense forces. He also urged partners to supply Ukraine with air-to-air missiles, MANPADS, and ammunition for F-16s. In response to the threat of ballistic missiles, Ukraine continues to require missiles for Patriot systems, and Khmara proposed that EU member states consider transferring some of their stockpiled missiles in exchange for future deliveries under existing contracts.\n\nKhmara also suggested rescheduling the allocation of EU loan funds from 2027 to 2026 to ensure the availability of remaining SAFE funds for Ukraine's procurement needs. The funds are crucial for manufacturers to produce drones on schedule, especially considering the enemy's mobilization plans. Meanwhile, troop pay and allowances would be covered by $7 billion in domestic resources, with the government already implementing cost-cutting measures and reallocations across non-defense items in the state budget.",
  "summary": "Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara participated in a meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council (in the format of EU defense ministers), where he outlined the security situation in Ukraine and conditions on the battlefield, as well as new challenges and threats posed by the enemy, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported on Monday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ukrainian Defense Minister urges EU partners to fund jet-powered drone interceptors",
    "Calls for EU funding to accelerate delivery of interceptors to Ukraine's defense forces",
    "Suggests rescheduling EU loan funds to 2026 for Ukraine's procurement needs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}