Minister of Defence of Ukraine Evgeniy Khmara took part in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, attended by defence ministers of EU member states.

he Minister outlined the security situation in Ukraine and the battlefield situation, as well as new challenges and threats posed by the enemy.

Russia’s goal has not changed – to subjugate all of Ukraine. To stop the war, putin must understand that he can lose. To achieve this, we need strength, said Evgeniy Khmara

The Minister of Defence stressed that Ukraine is repelling the aggressor on the battlefield. At the same time, Ukraine has several priority needs to strengthen its defence capabilities.

Evgeniy Khmara called on the EU to help finance this area so enough interceptors can reach the Defence Forces of Ukraine as quickly as possible.

The Minister also stressed to partners the importance of providing Ukraine with air-to-air missiles, man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS), and munitions for F-16s.

Evgeniy Khmara noted that Ukraine’s request for countering ballistic threats remains unchanged: Patriot missiles. The Minister of Defence asked EU member states to provide some missiles from their own stocks in exchange for missiles that Ukraine is due to receive later under existing contracts.

Around one-third of Ukraine’s $27 billion in additional defence needs consists of advance payments for drone deliveries in early 2027.

The Minister called for EU loan funds scheduled for 2027 to be brought forward to 2026, for the remaining SAFE funds to be used for procurement for Ukraine, and for additional funding to be provided through bilateral assistance.

The funds are needed this autumn to give manufacturers enough time to procure components and produce the drones on schedule. This is particularly important given the mobilisation the enemy is already planning, said Evgeniy Khmara.

Importantly, Ukraine will cover service remuneration for the military and other payments from its own resources. This amounts to $7 billion. The Government is already implementing comprehensive savings and reallocations across all non-defence expenditures in the State Budget.