EU says Ukraine can request funding for interceptor supplies

Ukraine independently determines its own military needs and may request funding for the supply of interceptors, with the European Union considering such requests under an accelerated procedure, Report's European bureau informs.

European Commission officials said this in Brussels while commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks about a reduction in interceptor supplies.

EU spokesperson Balazs Ujvari said Ukraine draws up a list of required weapons based on the situation on the battlefield, after which the European Commission reviews the submitted procurement schedule and decides on the allocation of funds.

The European Commission representative also noted that since the beginning of the year, the EU has already provided Ukraine with €8.5 billion for defense needs under the Ukraine Support Loan mechanism. These funds are intended to finance the procurement and production of fighter jets, missiles and drones.

Priority is given to weapons produced in EU countries and Ukraine, but, if necessary, the rules also allow purchases from outside the European Union.

The European Commission added that new financing packages would be announced after the approval of the next procurement schedules, stressing that work to support Ukraine continues "without a summer break."

Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for the EU External Action Service, said Ukraine still urgently needs additional military assistance and that this remains a key priority for the EU.

She added that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had already called on all EU member states with available stocks to provide them to Ukraine.