On September 18, the EU is set to allocate €3.3 billion as part of its latest defence assistance package for Ukraine to purchase missiles and drones, while remaining funds from the SAFE programme will be used to launch a new initiative for joint EU-Ukraine defence projects.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I just had a phone call with President Zelensky. Russia is relentlessly striking Kyiv, trying to make daily life unbearable for its residents. We stand with them. And with all Ukrainians,” von der Leyen wrote.
“Tomorrow, we will allocate another €3.3 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles and drones,” she said, recalling that the EU approved funding for Patriot systems last week as part of the Ukraine support loan.
The European Commission President stressed that assistance must be strengthened further.
“That is why I announced that we are ready to use the remaining funds from the SAFE programme to launch a new programme of joint EU-Ukraine defence projects,” she said.
Von der Leyen explained that the goal is to jointly develop a European air and missile defence system, building on the FREYJA joint ballistic missile defence system.
“This will allow us to combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience and innovation with Europe’s technological and industrial capabilities,” she wrote.
Von der Leyen also said she discussed with Zelensky the reforms that need to be approved by the Verkhovna Rada “to unlock further funding and keep Ukraine moving forward on its path towards our Union”.
She added that she will attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
“My message to Ukraine’s friends around the world will be simple: Europe is stepping up its efforts. Now others must also step up their support,” von der Leyen said.
According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Zelensky and von der Leyen also discussed new security proposals and the issue of financing Ukraine’s defence.
“The initiative to use the remaining funds from the SAFE programme to support new joint defence projects between Ukraine and the European Union is very timely and genuinely necessary. It is important to implement it. Of course, we are ready to cooperate on other security proposals that can strengthen Europe as a whole and each of our countries,” Zelensky said.
The two leaders discussed the steps needed to strengthen Ukraine’s defence resilience, as well as the issue of financing the country’s defence.
Decisions aimed at addressing the funding issue are currently being prepared.
Zelensky and von der Leyen also agreed to meet in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
