New Delhi: The European Union will disburse another €3.3 billion to Ukraine to help procure missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von
der Leyen said on Thursday after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Von der Leyen said the latest funding comes as Russia continues attacks on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine. She said the EU would continue to support Ukraine and announced that the money would be disbursed on Friday.
“I just had a phone call with President Zelenskyy. Russia is relentlessly targeting Kyiv, trying to make daily life impossible for its inhabitants. We stand with them. And with all Ukrainians. Tomorrow, we will disburse another €3.3 billion to Ukraine, to procure missiles and drones,” von der Leyen said.
EU plans joint defence projects with Ukraine
The European Commission chief also pointed to further support for Ukraine’s air defence. She said the EU had approved funding for Patriot systems through its Ukraine Support Loan, while adding that more assistance would be required. “Last week, we approved EU funding for Patriot systems through our Ukraine Support Loan. But clearly more is needed,” she said.
Von der Leyen also said the EU was ready to use remaining funds under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme for joint defence projects with Ukraine. The proposed cooperation would include work on a European air and missile defence system based on the joint anti-ballistic Freya system.
“We want to develop together a European air and missile defence system, building on our joint anti-ballistic Freya system. So that we can combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience and innovation with Europe’s technology and industrial strength,” she said.
Zelenskyy welcomes new defence initiative
Zelenskyy described his conversation with von der Leyen as “very productive” and welcomed the plan to use remaining SAFE funds for joint defence projects. He said the two sides also discussed Ukraine’s defence financing and steps needed to strengthen its resilience.
“The initiative to use the remaining SAFE funds to finance new defense projects by Ukraine and the European Union is very timely and truly necessary. It is important to implement it,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president said the leaders agreed to meet in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Von der Leyen also said the EU had mobilised nearly €15 billion for Ukraine this year, with further support expected.
The latest announcement follows the EU’s approval of €6.1 billion in additional defence-related funding for Ukraine, covering air and missile defence, ammunition, drones and electronic warfare.
