The European Commission has announced it will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine for defence procurement.
The payment covers the cost of drones and missiles and, says the EU, will help Ukraine “defend its territory and skies against Russia’s ongoing aggression.”
On Friday, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission: “Today, we will disburse €3.3 billion to help procure drones and missiles under the Ukraine Support Loan.
“Europe will continue to deliver the support Ukraine needs to defend its people and its territory.”
This is the fourth payment made to Ukraine under the Ukraine Support Loan’s defence window.
With this disbursement, the Commission will have paid nearly €15 billion to Ukraine this year, covering both defence and broader support.
The Ukraine Support Loan includes €30 billion for budgetary aid and €60 billion for defence across 2026-2027.
Ukraine’s military edge, says the EU, depends on the rapid availability of critical products in the required quantities and within very short timeframes.
Accelerating EU deliveries through destocking, reprioritising orders and ramping up the production remains crucial.
As announced by President von der Leyen in Strasbourg this week and yesterday’s call with President Zelenskyy the Commission says it is ready to use remaining funds from the security action for Europe instrument to launch a new joint EU-Ukraine programme.
The initiative would develop a European air and missile defence system, building on the existing Freya anti-ballistic system. It would combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience with Europe’s industrial and technological strength.
Next steps
Further payments will follow in line with the rules set out in the Ukraine Support Loan Regulation.
Next week, von der Leyen will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where she will call for increased support for Ukraine, conveying the message that: “Europe is stepping up. Now others must step up their support too.”
Background
Today’s disbursement follows decision on 11 September to approve €6.1 billion for Ukraine’s air and missiles defence and other defence needs, including PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems. The latest support has two complementary components: strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities and defence industrial capacities, and support to maintain essential state functions, public services and economic resilience.
The defence component focuses on reconstructing and modernising Ukraine’s defence technological and industrial base, while supporting its gradual integration into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.
All funding decisions respond to Ukraine’s evolving needs and are subject to agreed conditions and monitoring.
Since 2022, the EU and its Member States have provided €224.5 billion in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.8 billion from the proceeds of immobilised Russian assets.
