EU to allocate €3.3 billion to Ukraine for missiles and drones as soon as tomorrow
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
The European Union will allocate €3.3 billion to Ukraine on Friday, September 18, to purchase missiles and drones. In addition, Brussels is launching a new program of joint defense projects aimed at developing air defense, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
The new €3.3 billion defense aid package will be used to purchase missiles, ammunition and drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
In addition, the European Union will use remaining funds from the SAFE program to launch a new program of joint defense projects with Ukraine.
"So that we can combine Ukraine's battlefield experience and innovation with Europe's technology and industrial strength," von der Leyen said.
Joint air defense system and reforms
She said the main goal of the new cooperation is to create a European air and missile defense system. It will be based on the joint Freya system for countering ballistic missiles.
During a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the European Commission chief also discussed reforms that Ukraine’s parliament must approve. They are necessary to unlock further funding and advance Ukraine’s European integration.
Call to international partners
Von der Leyen expressed solidarity with the people of Kyiv and all regions of Ukraine suffering from daily Russian attacks.
She said she will attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, where she will call on allies to step up their support.
"My message to Ukraine's friends around the world will be simple: Europe is stepping up. Now others must step up their support too," the European Commission president said.
Earlier, it was reported that the US is preparing to provide Ukraine with a batch of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. The package includes 10 MIM-104E GEM-T missiles worth a total of $29.6 million that Germany had previously received from the United States.
In addition, Poland plans to provide Ukraine with missiles for Patriot air defense systems as part of a new military aid package. The package will be worth €50 million in total.
