EU Approves €6.1 Billion Defence Package for Ukraine on Independence Day

The European Union approved a €6.1 billion defence package for Ukraine on Monday, August 24, 2026, as part of its larger loan programme.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe stands with Ukraine and will deliver what it needs when it needs it. The funding is intended for air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars.

The announcement coincided with Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations and a meeting of the coalition of the willing in Kyiv. European leaders joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm support.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, during a visit to Kyiv, confirmed approval for supplying Ukraine with the classified blueprints to produce Storm Shadow cruise missiles, despite Russian threats. This would enable Ukrainian forces to strike targets deeper inside Russian territory.

Russia has intensified aerial attacks. Civilian deaths from Russian strikes have reached their highest levels since the early months of the full-scale invasion, as Ukraine faces shortages of air-defence interceptors. A Russian missile strike on the outskirts of Kharkiv killed three people and wounded eight. Earlier, a double-tap strike on a shopping centre killed 16 and wounded 130.

Zelenskyy has warned that holding a wartime presidential election could split the country and would be too dangerous.

The package forms part of ongoing efforts to address Ukraine's air-defence gap while the conflict continues into its fifth year.