Europe

Ukraine gets 3.9-billion-dollar EU tranche to buy drones, missiles, jets

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Ukraine gets 3.9-billion-dollar EU tranche to buy drones, missiles, jets
Demonstrators holding flags of Ukraine and the European Union on the Boulevard du Temple in Paris, France, on Feb.. 23, 2025. (Amaury Cornu / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine received a new 3.47 billion euro ($3.9 billion) tranche from the European Union under its 90 billion euro loan program, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced on July 30.

The allocated funds will help finance the procurement of drones, including long-range jet-powered models, as well as missiles and Gripen fighter jets as Russia continues its attacks against Ukraine, according to the EU.

"The goal is to help Ukraine quickly secure critical equipment it need," the statement read.

The 90 billion euro Ukraine Support Loan is essential both to directly support Ukraine's war effort and to finance the wider government budget, and it is expected to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's total needs for 2026 and 2027. A final agreement on the loan was reached in April.

According to Koretskyi, the program provides 45 billion euros in funding for this year. Ukraine has already received 11.6 billion euros, with most of the money earmarked for defense and the remainder allocated to state budget spending.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the recent tranche would also bring Europe's and Ukraine's defense industries closer together, adding that it would help advance the new Drone Deal.

Earlier in the day, on July 30, the Council of the European Union approved changes to a so-called Ukraine Plan, paving the way for an additional 8.3 billion euros ($9.5 billion) in financing under the Ukraine Support Loan in 2026.

The plan outlines the timeline for when Kyiv will carry out the reforms required for EU membership. The updated plan adds new reform steps, including on rule of law and anti-corruption reforms.

"Today's decision reaffirms the European Union's confidence in Ukraine’s reform efforts and our shared vision for Ukraine's future," Koretskyi said.

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Kateryna Denisova

Politics Reporter

Kateryna Denisova is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in Ukrainian politics. Based in Kyiv, she focuses on domestic affairs, parliament, social and war-related issues. Kateryna began her career in journalism in 2020 and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She also studied at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.

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