The European Commission has allocated an additional €1 billion to Ukraine to strengthen its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities. The funds are part of a large-scale €90 billion loan program to support Ukraine.
During the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Kyiv, a Letter of Intent to establish the EU-Ukraine Drone Deal, a strategic industrial partnership, was signed. The agreement combines Ukrainian operational experience in drone production and uses with European manufacturing and technological capabilities.
“We want to support Ukrainian ingenuity in the field of advanced drone technology,” the European Commission noted. These funds will be used to purchase drones, expand production, and integrate Ukraine into European defense programs, including the European Defense Fund and the European Defense Industrial Program.
This is the latest tranche of funding within a broader framework of support. The EU has previously allocated significant funds for drones (specifically, as part of a package worth approximately €6 billion). The total volume of the EU’s transition loan program for Ukraine is €90 billion.
Issues of European integration were also discussed during the negotiations, including the opening of relevant clusters during the accession negotiations, and the preparation of a new sanctions package against Russia.
This allocation of funds strengthens Ukraine’s defense potential and demonstrates the European Union’s consistent support in countering aggression.