The European Commission approved €6.1 billion in new defense procurement for Ukraine on the country’s Independence Day, covering air and missile defense systems, missiles, ammunition and radars.
The approval adds to €16 billion in procurement plans already cleared, of which €8.35 billion has been disbursed, according to the commission.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the money would help Ukraine “protect its people and defend its skies,” describing Russian attacks as intensifying. The commission cited 376 missile strikes in July but did not say who recorded them.
The funding comes from the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, which provides €60 billion for defense and €30 billion for budgetary aid across 2026 and 2027, including €28.3 billion for Ukraine’s defense industrial capacity in 2026.
According to the commission, most purchases are expected from EU defense companies. It called for more deliveries through existing stocks, reprioritized orders and higher production.
Ukraine may request payments by submitting signed contracts with defense companies. The commission will review them before disbursing funds to ensure they match agreed procurements.
The commission put overall support from the EU and its member states since 2022 at €220.2 billion, including €3.8 billion from proceeds of immobilized Russian assets.
This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.
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