European Commission provides 3.3 billion euros to Ukraine to purchase defense equipment
Brussels, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- The European Commission announced on Friday that it will provide €3.3 billion to Kyiv to fund defense purchases as part of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, “We are disbursing €3.3 billion today to help purchase drones and missiles under the Ukraine Support Loan,” emphasizing that Europe “will continue to provide the support Ukraine needs to defend its people and its territory” in the context of the war with Russia.
This is the fourth disbursement by the European Commission to Ukraine under the loan, bringing the total amount paid to Kyiv this year to approximately €15 billion, including defense support and other forms of assistance. The Ukraine Support Loan comprises €30 billion for budget-related assistance and €60 billion for defense over the years 2026 and 2027.
The statement stressed that maintaining Ukraine’s military superiority depends on the rapid provision of vital products and equipment in the required quantities and within very short timeframes, highlighting the importance of accelerating European deliveries by drawing down stocks, reprioritizing, and increasing production. It also pointed to the possibility of using remaining funds from the “Security and Defence for Europe” instrument to launch a new joint program between the European Union and Ukraine aimed at developing a European air and missile defense system based on the existing “FRIE” anti-ballistic missile system.
Today’s disbursement follows the Commission’s decision on September 11 to allocate €1.6 billion to Ukraine to strengthen its air and missile defenses and meet other defense needs, including PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems.
It is recalled that the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted in February a regulation establishing the “Ukraine Support Loan,” which provides support of up to €90 billion. The loan includes two integrated components: enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities and defense industry, and supporting the continuity of essential state functions, public services, and economic resilience. (End) A.R.N. / A.B.G.
