EU: New Billions in Aid to Ukraine – Nearly 70 Billion SEK

The European Commission has approved additional defense deliveries to Ukraine worth 6.1 billion euros, equivalent to around 67 billion SEK. The announcement comes on Ukraine’s Independence Day, and the funds are intended for air defense, missiles, ammunition, and radar equipment, among other things.

The decision comes as Russian attacks on Ukraine continue to increase. According to the European Commission, there were 376 missile attacks on Ukraine in July. This has made the need to strengthen the country’s air defense even greater.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that Europe is now stepping up its support to help Ukraine protect its population and its airspace.

On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Europe demonstrates that our support is unwavering and tangible. Today we have approved 6.1 billion euros for the air and missile defense systems, missiles, ammunition, and radars that Ukraine urgently needs.

As Russia escalates its attacks, we are increasing our efforts to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its airspace. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what the country needs, when it needs it.

– Ursula von der Leyen

The 6.1 billion euros are part of a larger EU loan to Ukraine totaling 90 billion euros (about 996 billion SEK). Of this amount, 60 billion euros (around 664 billion SEK) is earmarked for defense during 2026 and 2027.

An additional 30 billion euros (about 332 billion SEK) will go toward economic support and maintaining key social functions.

The new decision also builds on previous defense procurements. So far, the Commission has approved purchases for roughly 16 billion euros, about 177 billion SEK. Of that, 8.35 billion euros (about 92 billion SEK) have already been paid out.

The majority of the defense materiel being purchased is to come from European companies. At the same time, the European Commission wants to speed up deliveries. The context is that Russia is increasingly using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones in its attacks on Ukraine.

EU countries are therefore being urged to use available stockpiles, reprioritize previous orders, and ramp up production, among other measures.

Ukraine wants EU countries to send some of their air defense systems. Photo: Astrid Amtén Skage/ Swedish Armed Forces

A major part of the EU’s effort also concerns Ukraine’s own defense industry. The goal is for the country to rebuild and modernize its ability to develop and manufacture defense materiel.

For 2026, the EU has allocated 28.3 billion euros to this, equivalent to around 313 billion SEK. At the same time, the idea is that Ukraine’s defense industry will eventually come closer to its European counterparts.

Ukraine does not receive the funds directly but can request disbursements once it has signed contracts with defense companies. The European Commission will review these agreements before releasing the funds to ensure the support is used for approved purchases.

This is the size of the support

Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, the EU and its member states have, according to the European Commission, provided Ukraine with support worth a total of over 220 billion euros. This corresponds to about 2,436 billion SEK. Additionally, Sweden has contributed about 157 billion SEK in military and civil aid to Ukraine.

The total also includes 3.8 billion euros (about 42 billion SEK) from the yields on frozen Russian assets.

The EU’s new support package is part of a larger program to help Ukraine both militarily and economically. In addition to defense deliveries, the support aims to allow the country to keep its state functioning, public services running, and economy going during the war.

The new multi-billion aid therefore represents another substantial boost to Ukraine’s defense at a time when Russian attacks continue to put major pressure on the country’s air defenses.