Ukraine has received €3.47 billion from the EU for critical defence needs
Ukraine has received €3.47 billion from the European Union under the Ukraine Support Loan. The funds will go towards critically important defence priorities: strengthening air defence and aviation capabilities, scaling up drone production, developing missile capabilities and reinforcing Ukraine’s defence capacity.
Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine Evgeniy Khmara announced the news.
Funding to protect the skies and to support defence production
Evgeniy Khmara stressed that swift decisions by partners have a direct impact on Ukraine’s ability to protect its people, preserve its defence industrial potential and respond to Russian aggression.
Last night Russia attacked Ukraine with around 70 missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles. It also used more than 280 drones to terrorize Ukrainians.
According to Evgeniy Khmara, the funds received will make it possible to strengthen the key capabilities Ukraine needs right now: air defence, aviation, drones, missile programmes and defence production.
The Ukraine Support Loan, a critically important support instrument
The Ukraine Support Loan is the European Union’s key instrument for supporting Ukraine, worth up to €90 billion in total for 2026–2027.
Of that amount, €60 billion is earmarked for Ukraine’s defence needs. In 2026, Ukraine expects to receive €28.3 billion in defence support under the instrument.
An investment in the security of Ukraine and of Europe
Evgeniy Khmara thanked European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, the European Commission and all EU member states for their unwavering support of Ukraine.
The head of the Ministry of Defence emphasised that this is an investment not only in Ukraine’s defence, but also in the resilience of Europe as a whole, in its security and in its defence industrial potential.