EU to allocate €3.3 billion to Ukraine for missiles and drones, part of a broader €80 billion programme
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that the EU will allocate €3.3 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones. She said the relevant decision is expected to be adopted as early as Friday. The announcement came after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Von der Leyen noted that Russia continues to strike Kyiv in an effort to make everyday life unbearable for its residents. “We stand with them. And with all Ukrainians,” the European Commission chief stressed.
Overnight attack on Kyiv
The latest overnight Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital left 20 people injured, including two children, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported. According to the BBC, this was the first time in ten days that Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic and guided missiles — and Ukrainian air defences failed to intercept a single one.
A new air defence system with the EU
Von der Leyen also recalled that last week the EU, for the first time, allowed Kyiv to use funds from an EU loan to purchase PAC-3 missiles for American Patriot air defence systems. “But it is clear that this is not enough,” she said. According to her, the EU is ready to direct the remaining funds from the SAFE financial instrument to launch a new programme of joint defence projects between the EU and Ukraine.
In this context, the European Commission chief said the EU and Ukraine intend to jointly develop a European air and missile defence system, building on the existing joint project known as Freya. Freya is an advanced missile defence system being developed by the Ukrainian defence company Fire Point together with a number of European countries and major defence firms.
“Our support goes far beyond defence,” von der Leyen said, noting that the EU has already mobilised nearly €15 billion for Ukraine this year. She added that further assistance would continue.
Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz
