EU Commission approves €6.1 billion for Ukraine's Patriot missiles and drones

The new funding is intended to support Ukraine's ability to repel Russian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones. Procurements will be made both from companies in EU countries and directly from Ukrainian defense enterprises.

The package places special emphasis on strengthening air defense, particularly the procurement of equipment for Patriot systems. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes that this decision will help better protect the civilian population and critical infrastructure.

"With this approval, Ukraine can now also purchase the Patriot equipment it needs to better protect its skies from Russia's indiscriminate attacks. Together with our Member States and NATO, we will continue to deliver for Ukraine while strengthening Europe's own defense," she states.

Purchase of PAC-3 missiles and preferential terms

The European Commission's decision also allows Ukraine to purchase PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems. This package is funded as part of a larger loan to support Ukraine totaling 90 billion euros.

To expedite the process, the European Commission has provided for five exemptions from standard compliance requirements. Three of these relate to Ukrainian-made drones and components whose value exceeds the established thresholds. Two additional exemptions were granted for US-made equipment, specifically PAC-3 missiles, including through a special PURL mechanism coordinated by NATO.

The Commission has already allocated 8.35 billion euros in defense funding for Ukraine this year. Even more will be allocated in the near future.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Ukraine urgently needed $10 billion to purchase weapons at the start of the year, as well as an additional $20 billion to meet the immediate needs of the military and civil defense.

In addition, Belgium plans to transfer ammunition for F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year, which will be used to destroy Shahed drones.