EU approves €6.1 billion from Ukraine support loan for drones and Patriot missiles
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The European Commission will allocate €6.1 billion in loans to Ukraine for drones and Patriot missiles (Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo)
The European Commission has approved €6.1 billion from its Ukraine support loan to purchase drones and missiles for Patriot air defense systems, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Sept. 11.
According to Kubilius, the decision allows Ukraine, among other things, to purchase U.S.-made PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems. He called it "a truly important step forward" that the European Commission had worked on with EU member states and Ukraine.
The European commissioner explained that EU member states must approve exemptions from general rules to allow EU funds to be used to purchase weapons manufactured in third countries.
"This package, financed through the Ukraine Support Loan, includes five derogations from the standard procurement eligibility requirements. Three concern Ukrainian-made drones and components whose costs exceed established limits, while two concern U.S.-made equipment, including PAC-3 missiles, including through a NATO-coordinated joint procurement mechanism," he said.
Kubilius stressed that Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression depends on receiving the necessary weapons quickly and in sufficient quantities. He said using existing stockpiles, reprioritizing orders and increasing weapons production remain important.
According to the European commissioner, following the latest decision, the EU has now allocated all 28.3 billion euros earmarked for defense needs this year under the Ukraine Support Loan. The European Commission is also processing new requests for disbursements totaling 4.7 billion euros, while 8.3 billion euros has already been transferred to Ukraine.
"So the disbursement process is also moving forward. Before funds are transferred, the Commission reviews the contracts to ensure they comply with the terms of the Ukraine Support Loan and the procurement rules agreed with member states," Kubilius added.
On Sept. 2, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine had formally asked the European Union for the first time to finance PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems through the 90 billion euro European loan. Ukraine is seeking more than 2 billion euros to purchase the missiles.
On Sept. 7, Suspilne, citing an unnamed EU official, reported that the European Commission had approved Ukraine's request to purchase missiles for Patriot air defense systems using funds from the 90 billion euro loan.
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