European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during a visit to Kyiv on 16 July 2026, announced a new €1 billion disbursement for drones, a defence partnership centred on a "Drone Deal" with joint ventures and technology transfers, and welcomed the opening of a second accession cluster. The statement, delivered after receiving the Order of Europe, also outlined continued winterisation support for Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said the defence partnership would bring together Ukrainian battlefield-tested drone innovation with EU industrial scale, aiming to produce next-generation drones and counter-drone systems faster. She indicated the model could later extend to missiles and air defence systems, and that the EU is exploring deeper defence industry integration, including standard alignment and supply chain strengthening. The €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan is now fully operational, with over a third invested in defence products this year. On 30 June, the EU disbursed its first military assistance package exclusively for drones, described as the largest drone support package globally. The newly approved €10 billion disbursement plan covers drones, missiles and fighter aircraft.
On accession, von der Leyen noted that after opening the first cluster on Fundamentals last month, Cluster 6 on External Relations had now been opened, praising Ukraine's role as a future member state. She reiterated the Commission's support for continued reforms to open further clusters quickly.
Regarding winter preparations, she stated that the EU has invested over €4 billion for winterisation and energy since the start of the full-scale invasion, including €920 million for 2026 alone. The EU will continue repairing and strengthening Ukraine's energy infrastructure to keep homes heated and lit during the coming winter.
The visit underscores the EU's sustained political and financial commitment to Ukraine amid intensified Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other cities.