Defence ministers from EU member states have failed to reach any new agreements on supplying Ukraine with interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems.
This was stated by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at a press conference following the EU Council meeting on defence on 28 September, Suspilne reports.
“As for interceptor missiles, unfortunately there were no new commitments today to provide them,” Kallas said.
She recalled that the EU had previously approved defence procurement worth €28.3 billion as part of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. Among other things, these funds provide for the purchase of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, which the United States still has to manufacture.
According to Kallas, producing such missiles takes time, while Ukraine needs them now.
“One option is for EU member states and partners to supply missiles to Kyiv from their own stockpiles in exchange for later replenishment, which would be financed from the loan to support Ukraine,” she explained.
Kallas also said that ministers had agreed on the distribution of €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility (EPF). Of this amount, €1 billion will be allocated to support Ukraine, and part of the funds will go towards training Ukrainian troops under the EUMAM Ukraine mission.
“I am discussing with EU member states how to replenish the European Peace Facility with new funds, including after the current funding cycle ends. Air defence remains a key priority for Ukraine,” the EU representative said.
- On 2 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU had received a request from Ukraine for air defence funding.
- “I can confirm that we have received a new request for funding. It concerns several billion euros that are to go towards Ukraine’s air defence, including high-tech Patriot PAC-3 systems,” she said after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- At the same time, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, urged EU member states to hand over the necessary interceptor missiles to Ukraine, including those nearing the end of their shelf life.
- Ukraine also has agreements with the United States for monthly deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. President Zelenskyy has stressed the shortage of such missiles and noted that, to get through the winter period, Ukraine needs to receive at least about 5% of US production of these munitions.
- On 8 September, the European Union agreed to an exception for Ukraine and is allocating $3.5 billion for our country’s air defence.