European Commission releases €3.9 billion to Ukraine for drones

The European Commission on Tuesday made €3.9 billion available to Ukraine to purchase drones, drawing on the €90 billion loan, and said it would soon fund missiles and air-defence systems.

European Commission funding for Ukrainian drones

In a statement, the European Commission said this was the first payment from a €6 billion tranche “intended for the purchase of drones, an essential capability that enables Ukraine to withstand Russia’s war of aggression”.

Quoted in the statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “Ukraine’s capacity for innovation is at the heart of its success in resisting the large-scale invasion launched by Russia”.

“That is the capacity we want to support. Today, we are making an initial tranche of €3.9 billion available for advanced drone technology in order to strengthen Ukraine’s defence. And there will be more,” Von der Leyen assured.

EU loan to Ukraine includes missiles and air defence

For her part, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said that “the momentum of the war is shifting in Ukraine’s favour” and that “every day, Ukrainian drones are pushing the war back into Russian territory”.

“This funding will support the purchase of drones manufactured in Ukraine. Over the coming months, further disbursements will follow for the acquisition of ammunition, missiles and air-defence systems. As long as Russia continues its illegal war, the EU will continue supporting Ukraine,” she said.

The €3.9 billion has been released under the €90 billion loan granted by the EU to Ukraine, comprising €60 billion in military support and €30 billion in budgetary support.

Planned military support disbursements

The European Commission said that, regarding military support, €28.3 billion of the €60 billion total planned will be disbursed this year.

“Future disbursements will continue to finance the acquisition of drones, while also expanding to the purchase of ammunition, missiles and air-defence systems, reflecting the Union’s firm commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s resilience in the face of Russia’s continuing aggression,” the Commission said.

The EU executive had already made the loan’s first disbursement last Wednesday, providing Ukraine with €3.2 billion in macroeconomic support.