Brussels, Sept 8 (V7N) – The European Union has agreed to allow Ukraine to use part of a massive loan to purchase American-made Patriot air defence missile systems, addressing critical shortages of interceptors as Russia intensifies its missile attacks.
The decision was announced Tuesday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said, "I welcome the agreement by member states on the derogation for Ukraine to purchase crucial products for Patriot air defence systems."
The move authorises a "derogation" (exception) to the terms of the €90 billion EU support loan for Ukraine. Originally, the funds were intended primarily for weapons manufactured in Europe. This exception will allow Kyiv to use the next €3.2 billion instalment of the loan—in addition to the €8.4 billion already disbursed—to buy critical components for the Patriot systems.
The decision is a direct response to Ukraine's urgent need for interceptors to counter Russian missile attacks, which have intensified in recent weeks. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that the Patriot system is the most effective tool for shooting down Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara confirmed that the country is contracting to purchase approximately 1,000 Patriot missiles, thanks to this EU loan and the support of its partners. The Ukrainian government has called this a "critically important" decision to bolster its air defences ahead of the winter.
Britain also announced it would commit £100 million ($135 million) to boost Ukraine's air defence capabilities, including providing Patriot missiles, as defence ministers from countries backing Ukraine were set to hold talks on further bolstering Ukraine's air defences.
The latest overnight barrage on Kyiv killed three people, the capital's mayor said. Moscow has ramped up its deadly strikes on Ukraine as Kyiv has increased attacks against infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
This marks the second major exception to EU funding rules in recent months. In August, Brussels amended its European Peace Facility (EPF) rules—which typically reimburse EU members for arms sent to Kyiv—to allow Belgium and the Netherlands to use revenues from frozen Russian assets held by Euroclear to provide aid to Ukraine, enabling deliveries of ammunition and additional Patriot systems. Latvia also donated a Patriot system to Ukraine last week as part of its €480 million military support package. Germany has also been a major contributor, recently delivering a third Patriot fire unit to Ukraine.
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