EU approves €6.1 billion Ukraine defense package on Independence Day

All the money being disbursed comes from the 90 billion euro ($105 billion) Ukraine Support Loan, which the bloc finalized in April to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's defense and budgetary needs until the end of 2027.

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The European bloc has emerged as Kyiv's leading military supplier and partner as the Trump administration ended nearly all U.S. defense aid to the war-torn country.

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Ukraine has named air defenses as the most acute need amid Russia's ongoing strikes against Ukrainian cities and dwindling supplies of Patriot interceptors.

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All the money being disbursed comes from the 90 billion euro ($105 billion) Ukraine Support Loan, which the bloc finalized in April to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's defense and budgetary needs until the end of 2027.

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The European bloc has emerged as Kyiv's leading military supplier and partner as the Trump administration ended nearly all U.S. defense aid to the war-torn country.

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The two remaining lists submitted by Fedorov include a request to use EU funds to purchase U.S.-sourced Patriot missiles, which requires an exemption from EU member states.

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In his final days in office, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov submitted nine product schedules — proposed shopping lists of defense equipment — for the European Commission's sign-off.

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Some 60 billion euros ($70 billion) of the Ukraine Support Loan is allocated to defense products, with 28.3 billion euros ($33 billion) of that sum ringfenced for 2026.

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Products bought using that defense component generally must source 65% of their total component value from the EU, Ukraine, or Norway.

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There is no confirmed date for when Kyiv will get the green light to buy anti-ballistic missile interceptors from non-European companies, but it is expected in the coming weeks.

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If products do not meet that threshold, an exemption must be requested.

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With the 6.1 billion euros ($7.1 billion) approved on Aug. 24, Ukraine has been allocated around 22 billion euros ($26 billion) of the 28.3 billion ($33.1 billion) in defense spending it is due to receive in 2026.

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Ukraine already made one such request — which was approved — for Chinese-manufactured drone components in April.

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There is no confirmed date for when Kyiv will get the green light to buy anti-ballistic missile interceptors from non-European companies, but it is expected in the coming weeks.

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It was reported earlier that by the end of 2026, the European Union is expected to pay Ukraine about €20 billion, with new tranches potentially arriving in the coming weeks.

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On 30 July, the European Commission transferred another €3.47 billion to Ukraine under the defence component of the €90 billion loan.

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On 30 July, the Council of the European Union approved amendments to the Ukraine Facility, which will allow Ukraine to receive €8.3 billion in 2026 to cover budget needs.

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In recent weeks, Russian forces have launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at cities in Kyiv and, according to estimates from the European Commission, in July alone, there were reportedly 376 missile attacks.

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To date, 8.35 billion has already been disbursed, ensuring Ukraine “receives critical supplies on time and at the required scale.” In a press release, the Commission also clarified that the majority of purchases resulting from today’s allocation will involve products from companies in the EU defence sector.

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It provides 30 billion to ensure the continuous functioning of the State and essential public services, whilst the remaining 60 billion is allocated to strengthen the country’s military capabilities in the two years 2026–2027.

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On 24 August 1991, the Verkhovna Rada – the Ukrainian Parliament – adopted the Act proclaiming the country’s independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

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Meanwhile, allies — such as European Council President António Costa — are gathering in the Ukrainian capital on Monday for a Coalition of the Willing meeting aimed at drumming up additional air support and energy supplies for the country as it edges closer to winter.

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi welcomed the announcement in a post on social media platform X.

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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will travel to Ukraine for his first meeting as part of the framework and is reportedly expected to hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles.

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Several leaders will also attend the meeting in person, such as Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision as Russia continues large-scale aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

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Kyiv is therefore working with partner countries to identify additional supplies and hopes the United States could provide a small share of its existing stockpile.

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