EU gives Ukraine €3.3 billion for missiles and drones

The European Union will give Ukraine €3.3 billion for the purchase of missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday, after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Tomorrow, we will give Ukraine another €3.3 billion,” von der Leyen said in the official announcement about the call.

She stressed that the new aid comes at a moment when Russian attacks on Ukraine continue, including on the capital Kyiv.

“Russia is relentlessly targeting Kyiv, trying to make daily life impossible for its residents,” she said. “We stand with them. And with all Ukrainians.”

The funds are part of the €28.3 billion planned this year for Ukraine’s defense under the EU’s Ukraine Support Credit.

Von der Leyen also said the EU has approved financing for Patriot systems through the same credit, paving the way for Ukraine to buy U.S.-made Patriot interceptors used against ballistic missiles.

“But it is clear that more is needed,” she said.

According to von der Leyen, Brussels is ready to use the remaining funds from SAFE – Security Action for Europe, the EU instrument for financing defense investments and joint procurements – to launch a new program of joint EU-Ukraine defense projects.

“We want to develop together a European air and missile defense system, building on our joint anti-ballistic Freya system, so that we can combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience and innovation with Europe’s technology and industrial strength,” the European Commission President said.