Mykhailo Fedorov: Ukraine is boosting battlefield effectiveness and calling on the EU to strengthen defence support

Ukraine’s key priorities are strengthening air defence and securing defence funding. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov outlined Ukraine’s key defence needs at the EU Ambassadors Conference, attended by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.

During his online address, the Defence Minister said that Ukraine continues to inflict significant losses on russia.

“Claims that russia holds the advantage on the battlefield are a myth. We are becoming increasingly effective, and the cost of the war for russia continues to rise,” Mykhailo Fedorov emphasised.

Russian forces are already suffering losses that exceed their capacity to mobilise and replenish personnel. This is an important step towards achieving one of the objectives of the War Plan — halting russia’s advance on the ground.

The Defence Minister stressed that protecting the skies remains a key priority for Ukraine. This is why Ukraine calls on partners to continue supporting the PURL programme, which provides critically important air defence systems and missiles, including for Patriot and NASAMS systems.

Mykhailo Fedorov expressed gratitude to the EU for its sustained support and for the decision to allocate a €90 billion loan to Ukraine in 2026–2027. He emphasised the importance of a flexible allocation of loan funds for Ukraine’s defence.

At the same time, achieving a just peace requires stopping tankers of the ‘shadow fleet’ and imposing new sanctions on russia’s economy. Ukraine is developing a strategy of economic pressure against russia and will soon present it to its partners.

The Defence Minister noted that Ukraine is already in a position to deliver value to its partners. He added that no other country has such extensive experience in countering Shahed drones, and that only Ukraine possesses the technical solutions to counter this threat effectively.

“Cooperation with Ukraine can help prepare other countries for the challenges of modern warfare,” Mykhailo Fedorov concluded.