EU responds to Zelenskyy's claim over reduced interceptor missile supplies

The European Commission has responded to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that deliveries of interceptor missiles from partners have fallen threefold, stressing that Ukraine must submit a list of the equipment it requires.

Source: European Commission spokesperson Balázs Ujvári, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Ujvári said the EU has already allocated €8.5 billion to Ukraine for defence purposes this year.

The funding will be used for fighter jets, missiles and various types of drones, including both short-range and long-range systems.

Ujvári also stressed that Ukraine defines its own needs and submits what is known as "a product schedule".

Quote: "We examine the product schedule, and we proceed on that basis. It is very much a possibility for Ukraine to request, for example, interceptors or related equipment, and then we can look at it. So exchanges continue, product schedules keep coming in, contracts keep coming in. We look at them in an extremely speedy fashion and then we make the corresponding disbursements."

Details: Ujvári added that Ukraine can request funding to procure interceptor missiles and other equipment even if they are manufactured outside the European Union.

Quote: "Ukraine needs to identify what they need. They are at liberty to identify essentially any equipment. Of course, the primary objective is to look at the weaponry which is produced within the EU and Ukraine. If, for whatever reason, there is a need to go for derogation and look at the world more broadly – that is also a possibility, which is incorporated into the respective regulations, so we can accommodate such scenarios as well."

Details: The spokesperson said there will be "no summer break" when it comes to providing Ukraine with defence funding.

"We are working flat out day and night in order to make as much progress as possible as quickly as possible," he concluded.

Background:

• On 5 August, Zelenskyy pointed out that Ukraine has three times fewer anti-ballistic missiles than it did in 2025, despite its partners having stocks available.
• On 30 July, the European Commission transferred another €3.47 billion to Ukraine under the defence component of the €90 billion loan programme.
• The European Commission also said Ukraine can expect at least one new defence tranche in August.

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