Ukraine can use new EU aid to buy US Patriot missiles

The European Union will allow Ukraine to use new financial assistance to purchase US-made Patriot air defence missiles, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. EU member states have agreed to an exemption allowing the funds to be spent on the US weapons, von der Leyen said. EU military assistance is generally intended to prioritize purchases from European defence manufacturers. Ukraine is set to receive a further €3.2 billion ($3.7 billion) as quickly as possible, according to von der Leyen. The money will enable Ukraine to better protect its airspace from Russia's "indiscriminate attacks," she wrote in a joint statement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. NATO is involved through the so-called PURL initiative, under which NATO European allies and Canada finance the purchase of US-made weapons for Ukraine. The new funding will be provided through the EU's current support loan for Ukraine, which provides for payments of up to €90 billion through the end of 2027. The funds are intended to help Ukraine continue defending itself against Russian forces and prevent the country from defaulting on its financial obligations. The formal decision authorizing the €3.2 billion payment is expected in the coming days, according to the European Commission.