The EU has said that it has agreed to let Ukraine spend a chunk of its $105 billion loan to the country to buy US-made Patriot air defence missile systems, as Kiev mulls contracting for the supply of around 1,000 missiles with the help of its allies.
Ukraine's European backers are scrambling to help plug gaps in Kiev's defences as the country has run short on critical interceptors to shoot down Russian missiles.
"I welcome the agreement by member states on the derogation for Ukraine to purchase crucial products for Patriot air defence systems," European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.
Von der Leyen said the move would allow Kiev to use the next $3.7 billion instalment of the loan "to better protect its skies from Russia's indiscriminate attacks".
Meanwhile, Kiev's defence minister said Ukraine is contracting the supply of around 1,000 missiles for US-designed Patriot air defence systems with the help of allies and through a European Union loan.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Yevhenii Khmara also said that the majority of the missiles would only be shipped in the coming years and called for more urgent aid.
Under the conditions of the EU loan, Ukraine is meant to spend the money primarily on weaponry built in Europe.
Kiev has said the Patriot system is the most effective for shooting down Russian ballistic missiles.
Moscow has ramped up its deadly strikes on Ukraine as Kiev has increased attacks against infrastructure deep in Russian territory.
Britain announced that it was also committing $135 million to boost Ukraine's air defence capabilities this winter, including Patriot missiles.
