Ukraine requests billions of euros from EU for Patriot PAC-3 missiles
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Ukraine has requested several billion euros from the European Commission to finance air defense, including Patriot PAC-3 systems. EU member states are reviewing the request, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels on September 2. The announcement came as EU defense and foreign ministers met informally in Ireland to address Ukraine's air defense shortages.
Key Facts
- Ukraine's request to the European Commission amounts to several billion euros for air defense, including Patriot PAC-3 systems.
- EU member states are currently reviewing the request, von der Leyen said on September 2 in Brussels.
- The EU is also working with Kyiv on a joint air defense system called Freya, which will combine S-300 elements, interceptors based on them, and European radars and control systems.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on September 1 urged member states to check their own Patriot interceptor stocks for transfer to Ukraine, but acknowledged no concrete new commitments were made.
- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on September 2 that some EU countries still have air defense reserves.
The Request
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on September 2 in Brussels that the Commission received a new funding request from Ukraine. The request amounts to several billion euros to cover Ukraine's air defense needs, including high-tech Patriot PAC-3 systems. EU member states are now reviewing the request, and the process is moving "in the right direction," von der Leyen said. She made the announcement before a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Air Defense Shortages
The statement came amid informal meetings of EU defense and foreign ministers in Ireland, where Ukraine's air defense shortages were a central topic. On September 1, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on member states to check their own stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles for possible transfer to Ukraine. After the meeting, Kallas acknowledged that no concrete new commitments were secured. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on September 2 that some EU countries still have air defense reserves.
Joint System and Sanctions
The EU is also working with Kyiv on a joint air defense system called Freya. According to European media, Freya will combine elements of the S-300 complex, interceptors based on it, and European radars and control systems. Von der Leyen and Rutte also discussed Germany's accusations against Russia over the Leipzig incident, expressed support, and announced intentions to impose new sanctions on Russia and continue arms supplies to Ukraine.
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