The EU has allocated €6.1 billion to Ukraine on Independence Day for air defense and other means of defense, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday,
"On Ukraine’s Independence Day, we show our unfaltering support. Today, we approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defense systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs.Europe stands with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes," - von der Leyen wrote in X.
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On Ukraine’s Independence Day, we show our unfaltering support.Today, we approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs.Europe stands with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.З Днем… pic.twitter.com/QCg62KaXqW— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 24, 2026
"Happy Independence Day!" - the head of the European Commission congratulated in Ukrainian.
As reported by the European Commission in its press release on August 24, 2026, this concerns the approved new defense purchases for Ukraine in the amount of 6.1 billion euros. "This funding covers air and missile defense systems, missiles, ammunitions and radars, reaffirming Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense and resilience against russia's ongoing aggression," the European Commission noted.
The funding, as indicated, is part of the 90 billion euro Ukraine Support Loan (UASL) and is provided against the backdrop of russia's escalation of ballistic missile and drone attacks. " With 376 missile strikes recorded in July alone, reinforcing Ukraine's defenses has become increasingly urgent," the statement said.
Today's approval of the funding, it is noted, "adds to €16 billion in already approved procurement plans, of which €8.35 billion has been disbursed, ensuring Ukraine receives critical supplies on time and at the required scale."
"Most procurements will source products from EU defense companies. Given Russia's intensified use of ballistic missiles and jet-engined drones, the Commission emphasises the need for a significant increase in EU deliveries through destocking, reprioritising orders and ramping up the production," the statement said.
"Ukraine's ability to defend itself depends on the rapid availability of critical defense products. The UASL provides €30 billion for budgetary aid and €60 billion for defense across 2026-2027, including €28.3 billion in 2026 to strengthen Ukraine's defense industrial capacity," the European Commission added.
"Ukraine can request payments by submitting contracts signed with defence companies. The Commission will review these contracts before disbursing funds to ensure the financial assistance is used for the procurements agreed with Member States and the Commission," the European Commission stated.
As Defense Express reported earlier, that Europe decided to expand AIM-120 missile production for Ukrainian F-16s and NATO fighters, opening new opportunities for Ukraine.
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