On May 27 (Moscow time), according to TASS news agency, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union (EU) will provide Ukraine with 28.3 billion euros (about 32.1 billion USD) this year to support military needs and strengthen cooperation in the field of high-tech defense.
The information was announced by Ms. Leyen on social network X after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Air defense, as well as drone and anti-drone capabilities, are becoming one of Europe's most urgent defense priorities. Ukraine will fully participate in these cooperation programs," wrote Ms. von der Leyen.
According to the head of the EC, the 28.3 billion euro (about 32.1 billion USD) support will be allocated in 2026 from a total support package worth about 90 billion euros (more than 102 billion USD) that the EU provides to Ukraine.
The above move shows that the EU continues to step up military support for Kiev in the context that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not shown signs of cooling down and the war is increasingly dependent on unmanned technology.
In recent years, drones have become one of the most important weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield. Both Russia and Ukraine have increased the use of UAVs for reconnaissance, long-range attack, firepower adjustment and counter-attack missions in the air.
According to military analysts, the EU's deeper involvement in Ukraine's drone development programs could help Europe take advantage of Kiev's real-world experience in this field.
In addition to drones, air defense systems are also a major priority for Europe in the context of increasing security concerns in the region. The EU is currently promoting many programs to strengthen air defense capabilities, anti-drones and expand the bloc's defense industry.
Previously, many European countries had pledged to sharply increase defense spending as well as accelerate joint military projects after the conflict in Ukraine broke out.
In a phone call with Ms. von der Leyen, President Zelensky also emphasized the need to continue receiving military and financial support from the West, especially in the fields of air defense and defense technology.
The EU's new statement is said to continue to highlight the increasing role of drones and modern military technologies in Europe's defense strategy in the coming time.
