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European Union member states have agreed to allow Ukraine to use part of its EU-backed financing to purchase critical components for U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
“I welcome the agreement by member states on the derogation for Ukraine to purchase crucial products for Patriot air defence systems,” von der Leyen said.
She said Ukraine’s next €3.2 billion ($3.7 billion) payment would help Kyiv “better protect its skies from Russia’s indiscriminate attacks.”
The payment comes in addition to the €8.4 billion already provided under the Ukraine Support Loan, including funding for air defense.
Under the terms of the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine, Kyiv is generally expected to spend the money primarily on weapons produced in Europe. The new exemption allows funds to be used for critical Patriot-related purchases.
Ukraine has said Patriot is its most effective system for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles and has faced shortages of critical interceptors.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the agreement, saying NATO allies had allocated more than $10 billion over the past year through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, and the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.
“NATO and the EU will continue to work hand in hand to support Ukraine. This once again shows Europe taking responsibility,” Rutte said on X.
The decision comes as Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine while Kyiv has increased attacks on infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
The latest overnight attack on Kyiv killed three people, according to the city’s mayor.
Defense ministers from countries supporting Ukraine were due to meet later Tuesday to discuss strengthening Kyiv’s air defenses.
Britain also announced Tuesday that it would provide £100 million ($135 million) to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities this winter, including Patriot missiles.
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