Von der Leyen in Kiev: EU-Ukraine agreement on drones and one billion dollars for defense

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Kyiv on 15 July to strengthen political, military, and industrial cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine. During the visit, the Commission and the Ukrainian government signed a new defense industry partnership , accompanied by the launch of the EU-Ukraine agreement on drones. The agreement aims to progressively integrate European and Ukrainian production capabilities, removing obstacles to cooperation, aligning technical standards, and creating more favorable conditions for investment, procurement, and joint production.

Integration between European and Ukrainian industries

The partnership represents one of the most significant steps taken so far in the process of integrating the Ukrainian military industry into the European technological and manufacturing base. Cooperation will cover various areas, from defense procurement to intellectual property protection, including research, the development of new technologies, and the establishment of joint ventures between European and Ukrainian companies . The stated goal is to enable companies from the two industrial systems to work with more compatible procedures, reducing the time required to transform projects into operational capabilities for use in the field.

Joint production of drones and counter-drone systems by 2026

A central role will be played by the production of drones and counter-drone systems , technologies that have become crucial in the evolution of the conflict. The European Union and Ukraine have committed to promoting the joint production of unmanned systems and tools designed to detect, disrupt, or shoot down enemy aircraft by the end of 2026. This initiative must enable a rapid increase in the production of capabilities already proven in operational conditions, while simultaneously guaranteeing companies a long-term financial and industrial perspective, essential for opening new factories, expanding existing ones, and strengthening supply chains.

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Defense against drones and short- and medium-range missiles

Cooperation will primarily contribute to protecting cities, energy infrastructure, and military installations from attacks conducted with drones and short- and medium-range missiles. The project also includes the possibility of producing and storing some Ukrainian systems outside the country, creating an industrial network more resistant to attacks and logistical disruptions. For Brussels, the experience gained by Ukrainian companies and armed forces represents a particularly valuable technological asset, as it allows for rapid verification of the effectiveness of solutions and their adaptation to evolving threats.

The new European agreement on drones

Alongside the industrial partnership, the EU-Ukraine Drone Deal has been formally launched . This European framework will coordinate existing national agreements between Kiev and several member states and foster new ones. The agreement will provide financial support for the expansion of joint production and increased orders, combining European manufacturing capacity with Ukraine's experience in the development and operational use of drones. The model will be based primarily on selected joint ventures, targeted technology transfers, investments in innovative companies, and cooperation along the entire defense industrial chain.

The model could be extended to anti-ballistic missiles

Cooperation will not be limited to unmanned systems. According to the program outlined by the Commission, the mechanism used for drones must become a model for the production of ballistic and anti-ballistic missiles, air defense systems, artillery, and other capabilities considered essential. The European Union and Ukraine intend to achieve joint production of anti-ballistic missiles by 2028 , prioritizing systems that are economically viable and feasible on a large scale. The goal is to more quickly fill Europe's air defense gaps and increase the availability of interceptors.

Eighteen companies in the first nucleus of the alliance

The initial industrial cluster will consist of 18 European and Ukrainian entities , invited to participate in an initial meeting scheduled for September in Brussels. Among the European entities identified are groups such as Fincantieri, Indra, Quantum Systems, WB Group, Delair, Destinus, and Terma, joined by several Ukrainian companies specializing in the production of drones, electronic components, and military technologies. The presence of companies of varying sizes and expertise should facilitate the creation of consortia capable of handling not only final assembly, but also software, communications, sensors, munitions, and interception systems.

One billion euros immediately allocated to drones

At the same time, the European Commission approved the disbursement of an additional €1 billion for the purchase of drones for Ukraine . This payment is part of the first €6 billion tranche of the European support loan and follows the €3,9 billion allocated for the same purpose on June 30. The new allocation therefore advances the program with which Brussels intends to ensure Kiev's continued availability of unmanned systems, considered essential for reconnaissance, surveillance, unit protection, interception of Russian aircraft, and operations against military targets.

A ten billion dollar plan for weapons and aircraft is coming.

The Commission also approved a €10 billion disbursement plan to finance additional drones, missiles, and combat aircraft. The resources will be used according to the operational needs indicated by Ukraine and will remain subject to the conditions and control systems agreed upon with the European institutions. The program not only responds to Kiev's immediate needs, but also aims to support the construction of a more coordinated European industrial base, capable of rapidly producing large quantities of military systems and reducing dependence on external suppliers.

The 90 billion euro European loan

The funds are part of the €90 billion EU loan for 2026-2027 , approved to support Ukrainian defense and the functioning of the state. Approximately €60 billion is earmarked for military assistance, while the remaining €30 billion will finance the public budget and essential services. For 2026 alone, up to €45 billion can be made available, of which €28,3 billion will be allocated to defense industrial capabilities and €16,7 billion to general financial support. The disbursements are subject to conditions regarding the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and economic sustainability.

European support has reached 216,7 billion

Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the overall support provided by the European Union and its Member States to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people has reached €216,7 billion . This figure includes financial, economic, humanitarian, and military aid, as well as €3,8 billion in revenues generated by immobilized Russian sovereign assets. According to the Commission, the European Union and its Member States collectively represent Ukraine's largest supporter since the start of the full-scale war.

Zelenskyy awards von der Leyen the Order of Europe

During her visit to Kiev, Ursula von der Leyen met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , who awarded her the first Order of Europe. The award was given for the Commission President's contribution to building a common future between Ukraine and the European Union and for her support for Kiev during the war. In his remarks, Zelenskyy called the drone agreement a historic step in relations between Ukraine and Brussels, emphasizing that the country's armed forces and military industry are now considered an integral part of European security.

Von der Leyen's message on Ukraine's accession to the EU

Receiving the honor, von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe's closeness to Ukraine and its recognition of its role in the continent's history, culture, and security. The Commission President linked strengthening military cooperation to Kyiv's path to European Union accession. Ukraine has been a candidate country since June 2022, and accession negotiations have been formally opened. The first negotiating group, dedicated to fundamental principles, was launched in June 2026, while the one on external relations was also opened in July.

The ceremony for the Day of Ukrainian Statehood

Von der Leyen also attended the celebrations for Ukrainian Statehood Day , alongside Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska. The ceremony took on particular political significance, as it combined a call to Ukrainian national identity with the prospect of future full European integration. After the bilateral meetings, von der Leyen and Zelenskyy issued statements to the press, addressing military support, air defense, sanctions against Russia, the country's reconstruction, and the progress of negotiations for accession to the European Union.

The Ukraine-Southeastern Europe Summit

The Commission President also attended the fifth Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit , held in Kyiv in the presence of political and institutional representatives from numerous countries in the region. The final declaration reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, directly linking Kyiv's security to that of the Black Sea, the Balkans, and the entire continent. Participants condemned Russian aggression and reiterated that a stable peace in Europe cannot be achieved without an independent and secure Ukraine.

The eleventh visit since the beginning of the invasion

July 15 marked Ursula von der Leyen's eleventh visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. This frequency demonstrates the centrality of relations with Kiev on the European Commission's political agenda. With the new industrial partnership, Brussels is not limited to financing arms purchases, but aims to build an integrated production system in which Ukrainian operational experience and European financial and manufacturing capacity can mutually reinforce each other.

A new phase for common European defence

The drone agreement therefore represents a step beyond the traditional logic of military assistance and introduces structural cooperation between industries, governments, and research centers. For Ukraine, it means obtaining funding, orders, and more secure production capabilities; for the European Union, it means access to the knowledge developed during years of war and accelerating the modernization of its defense capabilities. The initiative's success will depend on the ability to translate political commitments into contracts, factories, supplies, and systems made widely available, while maintaining control over the use of resources and the protection of shared technologies.