EU releases €90 billion aid package to boost Ukraine's defence and reconstruction

The European Union has unlocked a €90 billion assistance package for Ukraine, with about €60 billion earmarked for defence capabilities and the remainder for the Ukrainian national budget. The first tranche, approved by the European Commission, amounts to €5.9 billion and will fund the purchase of roughly three million drones at an average cost of €2,000 each, as well as a limited exemption for Chinese‑made microchips used in the drones.

A second major tranche will target air‑defence ammunition and systems, addressing a structural shortfall in Europe's fragmented weapons industry. EU officials warn that production capacity for systems such as the Franco‑Italian SAMP/T is insufficient to meet short‑term demand.

Since the Russian invasion began in 2022, the EU and its member states have mobilised over €200 billion for Ukraine, covering military, financial and humanitarian aid. Military assistance from the EU rose by 67 % to €28.4 billion, while non‑military aid grew by 59 % to a record €32.4 billion, reflecting a shift from a supporting role to becoming the primary backer as U.S. contributions recede. This extensive financial commitment is being framed as a test of Europe's strategic autonomy and its capacity to sustain a long‑term war effort on the continent.