Minister of Defence Evgeniy Khmara addressed EU defense ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council.
Evgeniy Khmara: "Russia's goal has not changed, to subjugate all of Ukraine. To stop the war, Putin has to understand that he can lose. For that, we need strength."
Ukraine's priorities: funding for cheap interceptors against jet-powered Shaheds, air-to-air missiles, MANPADS and F-16 munitions, and Patriot missiles transferred from EU stocks now, against deliveries Ukraine is contracted to receive later.
About a third of the additional $27 billion requirement is prepayment for drones arriving in early 2027. The ask is to bring the EU loan forward from 2027 to 2026, spend the SAFE remainder on Ukraine, and add bilateral funding.
"The funds are needed this fall, so that manufacturers have enough time to buy components and produce the drones on schedule," Evgeniy Khmara said.
🇺🇦🤝🇪🇺 Thank you for the €3 billion disbursed under the EU loan and the €3 billion in agreed procurement schedules, Patriot missiles included.
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