(BRUSSELS) – The European Union will allocate an additional €3.3 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced following a phone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The funding, equivalent to approximately $3.6 billion or £2.8 billion, comes as Russia “is relentlessly attacking Kyiv, attempting to make the everyday lives of its residents impossible,” Ms von der Leyen said.
“We stand with them. And with all Ukrainians. Tomorrow, we will allocate another €3.3 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones,” she promised.
The European Commission president recalled that last week, EU funding for Patriot systems was approved through a loan in support of Ukraine.
“But it is obvious that more is needed. That is why I announced that we are ready to use the remaining SAFE funds to launch a new programme of joint EU Ukraine defence projects. We want to jointly develop a European air and missile defence system, building on our joint Freya missile defence system. So that we can combine Ukraine’s combat experience and innovation with Europe’s technological and industrial capabilities,” she noted.
She added that during the UN General Assembly in New York, her message to “Ukraine’s friends around the world will be simple: Europe is taking steps. Now others must also step up their support.”
President Zelenskyy discussed defence projects and financing for Ukraine with Ms von der Leyen, and the two leaders agreed to meet in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The European Union has already concluded 10 agreements worth €100 billion (approximately $109 billion or £84 billion) under the SAFE defence programme.
Be First to Comment