The European Commission approved 6.1 billion euros in new defence procurement for Ukraine on Sunday, timed to coincide with Ukraine Independence Day as Russia escalates missile and drone attacks.
The funding covers air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars. It forms part of the 90 billion euro Ukraine Support Loan, the largest single financial instrument the EU has dedicated to Ukraine defence and resilience.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the approval demonstrates that Europe’s support is concrete and unfaltering. She noted that Russia fired 376 missile strikes at Ukraine in July alone, making reinforcement of air defences an urgent priority.
Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius echoed the urgency, saying the EU must take concrete action as Ukraine faces relentless aerial threats. Most procurements will source products from EU defence companies, with the Commission calling for a significant increase in deliveries through destocking, reprioritising orders and ramping up production.
The 6.1 billion euro approval adds to 16 billion euros already approved for Ukraine defence procurement, of which 8.35 billion has been disbursed. The Ukraine Support Loan, adopted by the European Parliament and Council in February 2026, provides 30 billion euros for budgetary aid and 60 billion euros for defence across 2026-2027.
Of the 45 billion euros allocated for 2026, 28.3 billion euros is earmarked for strengthening Ukraine’s defence industrial capacity. Ukraine can request payments by submitting contracts signed with defence companies, with the Commission reviewing these before disbursing funds.
Reuters reported that since 2022, the EU and its member states have provided 220.2 billion euros in overall support to Ukraine, including 3.8 billion euros from proceeds of immobilised Russian assets. The latest package comes as Russia intensifies its use of ballistic missiles and jet-engined drones against Ukrainian cities.
The approval marks a further escalation in European military support as the war enters its fifth year, with NATO allies increasingly emphasising that Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace is critical to the broader security of the continent.
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