European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that additional financial support will be allocated to Ukraine's drone production sector.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this announcement was made via her social media account.
The decision follows recent Russian strikes targeting facilities involved in drone manufacturing within Ukrainian territory. In response, the European Commission has provided Kyiv with the initial 4 billion euro tranche from a broader 90 billion euro support package designed to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, particularly in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ursula von der Leyen indicated that further financial resources are expected to be allocated in the near future. Furthermore, she stated that she intends to raise the issue of strengthening Ukraine's air defense systems at the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. Additionally, work is reportedly underway on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, plays a pivotal role in coordinating the bloc's political and economic response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By prioritizing defense industrial cooperation, the EU aims to enhance the sustainability of Ukraine's military efforts. Previously, Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the strategic necessity of reducing Europe's security dependency on the United States, advocating for a more robust and autonomous European defense architecture.