Ukraine Seeks EU Loan Instalment for Missile Defence Systems

Ukraine has asked the European Union to allocate the next instalment of its €90 billion loan for Kyiv to the purchase of missile defence systems, a request made amid a severe shortage of air defence equipment.

Euronews, citing a source familiar with the matter at the European Commission, reported that Kyiv has put forward the proposal to the European Commission. According to the report, the aim of the request is to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities against missile attacks.

At the same time, the Financial Times, citing informed sources, reported that Ukraine has also sought approval from the United States to use drones equipped with the Starlink system. The report adds that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been trying to obtain permission from Elon Musk, the owner of Starlink, to use the system to direct drone attacks on Russian territory.

However, the Financial Times, citing informed sources, wrote that US President Donald Trump has not supported the plan and that Elon Musk will also not grant such permission.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the European Union has been one of Kyiv’s main financial and military backers, and the European Commission plays a central role in coordinating the bloc’s aid packages.