Yesterday at 23:59
Defense ministers from nine European countries have called on the European Commission to give Ukraine maximum flexibility in using the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan (USL) to meet its most urgent military needs, UATV English reports.
In a joint letter addressed to European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, the ministers welcomed the implementation of the loan program, which supports Ukraine’s budgetary and defense needs amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.
The letter was signed by the defense ministers of the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, and Poland.
The ministers said Ukraine’s upcoming procurement plans prioritize air defense systems, aviation and artillery ammunition, long-range strike capabilities, electronic warfare equipment, and explosives.
According to the letter, Ukraine has informed partners that some of its most urgent requirements cannot currently be met by the European defense industry. These include PAC-3 missiles, AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, ATACMS long-range missiles, ADM-160 MALD decoys, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles.
The ministers urged the European Commission to approve Ukraine’s procurement plans as quickly as possible by using an existing provision that allows the purchase of weapons manufactured outside the European Union. They also called on Brussels not to delay approvals pending a review of the European defense industrial base or require Ukraine to conduct additional market assessments.
The signatories stressed that making full use of the available mechanisms would help maintain the pace of military assistance, provide Ukraine with critical capabilities without unnecessary delays, and ultimately save lives.
