Ukraine will be able to purchase missiles from third countries using funds from an EU loan
Ukraine may use part of the funds from the European Union’s 90 billion euro loan to purchase interceptor missiles and other defense equipment from third countries if such products are not available in the EU.
Balázs Ujvári, a spokesperson for the European Commission, made this statement during a briefing in Brussels. According to him, Ukraine itself determines its defense needs and submits corresponding funding requests to the European Commission.
“Ukraine is leading the process. Ukraine identifies its needs, analyzes the situation on the battlefield, and draws up delivery schedules, which we review and process,” Uzhvari noted.
He emphasized that Kyiv can apply for funding to purchase interceptor missiles and other equipment, even if it is manufactured outside the European Union.
According to the spokesperson, negotiations on funding are ongoing, and the European Commission is promptly reviewing applications and making the corresponding payments. He also assured that there have been no issues with the allocation of funds so far.
Uzhvary noted that the program’s main focus is on the procurement of weapons manufactured in the EU and Ukraine. At the same time, the rules allow for the purchase of products from third countries if the necessary weapons are not available on the European market.
He added that he could not comment on the details of ongoing negotiations with Ukraine regarding defense procurement, but that decisions would be made public once internal EU procedures are completed.
For her part, European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper recalled that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, had previously called on member states with stockpiles of air defense systems to transfer them to Ukraine.
This was reported by Ukrinform on August 6.
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