EU states clear Ukraine to use part of €90 billion loan for Patriot air defense purchases
EU member states have agreed to an exemption allowing Ukraine to use funds from the bloc's €90 billion support loan to purchase crucial products for Patriot air defense systems, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sept. 8.
This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"Together with @SecGenNATO Rutte, I welcome the agreement by Member States on the derogation for Ukraine to purchase crucial products for Patriot air defence systems.," the statement said.
The decision comes as the EU prepares to disburse the next €3.2 billion tranche of the loan. Von der Leyen said the funding would help Ukraine better protect its skies from Russian attacks.
The €3.2 billion comes on top of €8.4 billion already disbursed under the Ukraine Support Loan, including funding for air defense.
The European Commission had previously approved Ukraine's request to use the loan to purchase Patriot interceptor missiles. Kyiv had requested more than €2 billion for the interceptors.