Ukraine Left Exposed? EU Ministers Stall On Critical Interceptor Transfers | ET Now | Breaking News

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European Union defence ministers failed to secure new pledges from member states to transfer Patriot air-defence interceptors from national stockpiles to Ukraine following a meeting in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed. Kallas had proposed that member states supply interceptors immediately from existing reserves, with replacements later financed through the EU's 90 billion euro Ukraine Support Loan, of which 60 billion euros is earmarked for defence, but ministers stopped short of committing to the transfers. The EU has already approved procurement plans worth 28.3 billion euros under the loan, including future Patriot missile purchases from US production, though Kallas acknowledged that missile manufacturing delays mean Kyiv requires interceptors immediately rather than through longer production timelines. Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevgeniy Khmara reportedly stressed the urgency of the request to EU counterparts as Ukraine continues to face intensive aerial attacks, while several European capitals cited concerns over depleting their own air-defence capabilities. The Brussels meeting concluded without new decisions on immediate interceptor transfers, leaving the funding mechanism in place but the underlying supply gap unresolved.