European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union is finalizing a new €6 billion defense package for Ukraine to produce and purchase drones.
According to her, the decision was a response to another massive Russian attack and the need to strengthen Ukrainian air capabilities.
Von der Leyen stressed that unmanned systems are one of the key elements of modern warfare, so the EU intends to invest in a large-scale increase in their production. Part of the funds will go to support Ukrainian companies that are demonstrating high rates of development in the drone sector.
Brussels notes that this package is part of a broader defense support program with long-term funding of tens of billions of euros. The first tranches are expected shortly after the completion of technical procedures.
The European Commission is also working on new sanctions mechanisms and tools to use frozen Russian assets as an additional source of financing for Ukraine’s defense needs.
