EU to transfer over €3 billion to Ukraine for missiles and drones - European Commission President

The European Union on September 18 will transfer another €3.3 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones. At the same time, the European Commission is preparing a new program of joint defense projects with Ukraine, for which it plans to use the remaining funds of the European SAFE instrument.

This was stated by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen after a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She specified that the funds are intended specifically for defense procurement.

This is another funding under the Ukraine Support Loan. In 2026, up to €28.3 billion is provided under this program for strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and defense-industrial base. Overall, the EU loan program for 2026-2027 totals €90 billion, of which €60 billion are earmarked for defense needs.

Von der Leyen also reported that last week the European Union agreed to fund Patriot systems under this credit mechanism. At the same time, the European Commission believes that Ukraine needs additional air and missile defense means.

For this, Brussels plans to use funds remaining in the SAFE program and create a separate financing mechanism for joint defense projects between Ukraine and the EU. SAFE provides up to €150 billion in loans for defense procurement by European Union member states. Ukraine does not receive SAFE loans directly, but can participate on equal terms in joint procurement, and Ukrainian defense companies are allowed to participate in program projects.

One of the areas of cooperation will be a joint European air and missile defense system. It is planned to be developed on the basis of the Ukrainian-European anti-ballistic project FREYJA, combining Ukrainian combat experience and developments with the technological and production capabilities of the European defense industry.

Zelenskyy called the use of the remaining SAFE funds for joint defense projects a timely initiative. During the conversation, the parties also discussed in detail the financing of Ukrainian defense and agreed to continue negotiations during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Sources: European Commission, Office of the President of Ukraine, European Commission - SAFE