The European Union approved defense loans for Ukraine amounting to 6.1 billion euros (7.1 billion dollars) on Independence Day. These funds will be directed towards air defense systems, missiles, ammunition, and radars, according to a press release from the European Commission dated August 24.
All allocated funds are part of the Ukraine Support Credit totaling 90 billion euros (105 billion dollars), which the EU finally agreed upon in April. The credit is intended to cover two-thirds of Ukraine’s defense and budgetary needs until the end of 2027.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated in the press release: “On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Europe demonstrates that our support is unwavering and concrete. As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up our efforts to help Ukraine protect its people and its skies. Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we will provide what it needs, exactly when it needs it.”
Defense needs and European support
The European bloc has become the leading military supplier and partner of Kyiv after the Trump administration halted almost all U.S. defense aid to Ukraine. Amid ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and the depletion of Patriot interceptor stocks, Ukraine has identified air defense as its most urgent need.
In the final days of his tenure, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov submitted nine proposals for defense equipment—lists of planned purchases—for approval to the European Commission. Out of the nine proposals submitted by Fedorov, seven were approved, bringing the total number of approved lists to 11, a high-ranking EU official told Kyiv Independent.
The two remaining lists from Fedorov include a request to use EU funds to purchase U.S.-made Patriot missiles. This requires an exception that must be agreed upon by EU member states.
Funding rules and future purchases
About 60 billion euros (70 billion dollars) from the Ukraine Support Credit is allocated for defense products, of which 28.3 billion euros (33 billion dollars) is reserved for 2026. Products purchased with this part of the credit typically must include components from the EU, Ukraine, or Norway, accounting for at least 65% of their total value. If the products do not meet this threshold, an exception request must be submitted. Ukraine previously submitted such a request for components for Chinese-made drones in April, and it was approved.
There is currently no confirmed date for when Kyiv will receive permission to purchase ballistic missile interceptors from non-European companies, but it is expected to happen in the coming weeks. A high-ranking EU official noted that the approved packages already include some European systems for intercepting ballistic missiles, possibly the Franco-Italian SAMP/T system, which was also among the positions previously requested by Kyiv.
Ukraine has submitted “several” additional proposals for defense equipment for approval after Yevhen Hmara assumed the position of Defense Minister in July. Following the approval of an additional 6.1 billion euros (7.1 billion dollars) on August 24, Ukraine has already been allocated approximately 22 billion euros (26 billion dollars) out of the 28.3 billion euros (33.1 billion dollars) earmarked for defense spending in 2026.
