Key facts
- The EU approved 6.1 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in defense aid for Ukraine on September 11.
- Ukraine can use the funds to purchase U.S.-made PAC-3 Patriot interceptors.
- The aid is part of the EU's 90-billion-euro support loan for Ukraine.
- The EU has now approved all 28.3 billion euros earmarked for Ukraine's defense this year.
- Five derogations have been granted for Ukraine to source components from third countries, including U.S. components for Patriot missiles.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Commission gave its final approval on September 11 for a 6.1 billion euro ($7.1 billion) defense aid package for Ukraine. This funding allows Ukraine to use money from the EU's 90-billion-euro ($104 billion) support loan to acquire U.S.-made PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, which are crucial for defending against Russian ballistic missiles. The decision comes as Ukraine anticipates a new wave of Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure during the upcoming winter. EU member states had previously supported the aid package and the specific purchase of Patriot missiles earlier in the week, with the European Commission's final sign-off now secured. This latest tranche brings the total defense funds approved for Ukraine under the support loan this year to 28.3 billion euros ($32.9 billion). Of this amount, 8.4 billion euros ($9.7 billion) has already been disbursed, with an additional 4.7 billion euros ($5.5 billion) currently being processed. The EU's support loan, approved in April, is intended to cover a significant portion of Ukraine's defense and budgetary needs through 2027. The loan includes stipulations for Ukraine to purchase weapons from EU countries, but allows for explicit approval for items with more than 35% of their components sourced from third countries. Five such derogations have been granted, including for drone components and U.S. components for the PAC-3 missile interceptors, to ensure Ukraine's rapid access to critical military supplies.