Key facts
- The EU will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine on September 18.
- The funds are designated for the purchase of missiles and drones.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the disbursement after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Zelensky and von der Leyen agreed to meet at the UN General Assembly in New York.
- The disbursement is part of a €28.3 billion EU defense support loan for Ukraine.
- Ukraine has received €11.7 billion of the total defense funding.
The European Union is set to disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine on September 18 to fund the purchase of missiles and drones for its defense forces. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the aid following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The funds are part of a €28.3 billion EU defense support loan allocated for Ukraine's defense this year. With this latest tranche, Ukraine will have received €11.7 billion of the total funding. The aid package will also enable Ukraine to acquire U.S.-made PAC-3 Patriot interceptors. This disbursement is smaller than the €4.7 billion previously promised by EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, a reduction attributed to delays in processing Ukrainian receipts for military equipment. Zelensky and von der Leyen also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, which runs from September 22-28. Von der Leyen indicated she would use the UNGA to encourage non-European allies to increase their support for Ukraine.