KIEV, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine received a new 3.47-billion-euro (about 3.98-billion-U.S.-dollar) tranche from the European Union (EU) to finance priority defense needs, the country's Finance Ministry reported Thursday.
The funding, provided under the 90-billion-euro Ukraine Support Loan, will help support Ukraine in the procurement of drones, including long-range jet-powered models, missiles, air defense systems and Gripen fighter jets, according to a statement.
The EU formally approved the loan package for Ukraine in April, aiming to provide fiscal and military support to the country in 2026 and 2027.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said on Telegram that the Ukraine Support Loan envisages 45 billion euros for Ukraine in 2026.
So far, the country has secured 11.6 billion euros from the EU under the mechanism. Of them, 8.4 billion euros have been allocated for defense and 3.2 billion euros for budgetary support. ■