The European Commission has approved the allocation of 6.1 billion euros for new defence procurement for Ukraine. The funds will be directed, in particular, towards air defence and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars. The European Commission announced this on 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day.
“On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Europe is demonstrating that our support is unwavering and concrete. Today we have approved €6.1 billion for air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars, which Ukraine urgently needs,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
She said that, against the backdrop of intensifying Russian attacks, the EU is stepping up its assistance to Ukraine so that it can protect its population and its airspace.
The funding is being provided as part of the Ukraine Support Loan (UASL), totalling €90 billion.
The European Commission notes that the decision was taken against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones. According to figures provided by the Commission, 376 missile strikes were recorded in July alone.
The new €6.1 billion supplements the €16 billion in defence procurement plans that have already been approved. Of this amount, €8.35 billion has already been disbursed.
According to the European Commission, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU and its member states have provided Ukraine with a total of 220.2 billion euros in support. In particular, €3.8 billion was raised from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.