Kyiv can spend the money on interceptors, ammunition, missiles and radars
The European Commission on Monday approved another €6.1 billion in EU funding for Ukraine, as the war-torn country’s air defences struggle to fend off mounting Russian missile and drone attacks.
Ukraine can use the money from the EU support loan to shore up its struggling air defence and meet other military needs. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out over the weekend that his country is expecting a total of €30 billion in EU support this year.
According to the European Commission, the new funding is meant to cover air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars. Battered by Russian air strikes, Ukraine’s air defences are especially short of ballistic missile interceptors.
The €6.1 billion is part of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, adding to the already approved €16 billion for future weapons procurement. Of that €16 billion, €8.35 billion has been disbursed so far, as each payment is tied to the EU’s approval of concrete procurement contracts.
