European Commission approves a new tranche for Ukraine, including €3.2 billion for Patriot missiles

The European Commission approved a new €6.1 billion tranche for Ukraine on Friday, as part of the €90 billion European loan intended to support Kyiv through the end of next year. The new element is that Ukraine will be able to use €3.2 billion to purchase Patriot interceptors, including PAC-3 missiles manufactured in the United States.

The decision comes after member states accepted exemptions from the rule requiring priority to be given to equipment produced in the European Union. The approved funds will be used for air and missile defense systems, ammunition, drones and electronic warfare equipment, purchased from European and Ukrainian companies, as well as from the United States through the NATO-coordinated PURL mechanism.

The European loan includes €60 billion for military purchases and €30 billion to cover the budget deficit. Ukraine will repay the money only if Russia pays war reparations; otherwise, the costs will fall to the EU states that guaranteed the loan.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the support would strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and Europe’s security. According to Ukraine’s defense minister, the funds could enable the purchase of approximately 1,000 Patriot missiles, although most deliveries are scheduled for the coming years.