European Advocacy for Ukraine: September 2026 Updates

European Union

EU Approves €6.1 Billion for Air and Missile Defense to Ukraine

• On August 24, Ukraine Independence Day, the European Commission pledged €6.1 billion to Ukraine for air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition, and radars provided by the Ukraine Support Loan. Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the disbursement demonstrated Europe’s support as “unfaltering and concrete” as Russia intensifies its attacks.

United Kingdom 

UK to Release Information Necessary for Ukraine to Manufacture the SCALP Missile

• During his first overseas visit as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham arrived in Ukraine on August 24 to reiterate the UK’s support and commitment for the Ukrainian people. To emphasize this, the Prime Minister announced that the government will allow MBDA, a multinational European defence firm, to release classified information regarding UK-produced parts necessary for assembling the SCALP missile. This development comes after France and Ukraine began measures to start assembling the missile on Ukrainian territory.

• The SCALP missile is the French-made version of the Storm Shadow produced by the UK, with both relying on shared British and French technology. This decision also aligns with the UK’s objective to quickly develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukraine through Project Brakestop.

UK Launches New Military AI Partnership with Ukraine

• Ukraine and the UK signed a landmark AI deal together on August 24, as the UK sets out to become the first international partner to gain access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Lab which will allow the two countries to accelerate the development of AI tools for the battlefield. The deal combines the UK’s “world-leading AI ecosystem with Ukraine’s operational experience,” (GOV.UK).

• The Avengers AI Labs database uses data insights collected by daylight cameras and infrared sensors on the battlefield in Ukraine to train AI models. These sensors and cameras then capture millions of objects such as tanks, air defense systems, and drones to feed data back to the Avengers Lab to train new AI models.

• Three pilot projects have already begun as a result of this agreement with three British startup companies: Bristol’s Sintela, Oxford’s Mind Foundry, and London’s Skyral.

EAU UK Team: Legislative & Advocacy Updates

• Parliament returns on 1 September, creating an important advocacy window before conference recess. The Foreign Affairs Committee is also accepting evidence for its new Russia inquiry until 3 September, giving EAU UK a timely opportunity to influence parliamentary thinking on Ukraine, European security and reconstruction.

• For EAU UK, the central advocacy message should now be:

  Support for Ukraine must move beyond supplying equipment toward building permanent Ukrainian and European resilience through co-production, investment, technology transfer and long-term security guarantees.

• EAU UK priorities:

  – Submit evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee before 3 September.

  – Brief MPs ahead of Parliament’s return and encourage questions on defence co-production, sanctions enforcement, Russian assets and security guarantees.

  – Use the 8 September London Action Forum to promote practical recommendations on Ukraine’s integration into Europe’s defence-industrial base.

  – Emphasize “production, not just provision” in UK advocacy.

  – Position Ukraine as a long-term European security and industrial partner, rather than simply an aid recipient.

Take Action

• Contact your MP on sanctions enforcement

• Engage with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)

• Join the EAU UK team’s weekly calls for details on how to increase support for Ukraine

France

France Accelerates Air-Defense and Interceptor Deliveries to Ukraine

• President Emmanuel Macron announced on August 22 that he would accelerate the delivery of new French-made equipment and interceptors to Ukraine following a deadly strike on a Ukrainian shopping center.

• After intense and devastating attacks by the Russian military, Ukraine continues to appeal to allies for more interceptor missiles amidst the storage. After a 2 hour call with Zelenskyy, the French president expressed his willingness to connect with allies who have stocks of Patriot interceptors on Ukraine’s behalf.

Take Action

• Email or meet your député at their permanence parlementaire to ask that they hold the government accountable for the accelerated delivery of promised equipment

Germany

Germany to Produce Several Hundred PAC-2 Patriot Missiles for Ukraine

• In a statement on August 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s dire need for Patriot interceptors. As Winter approaches an estimated 300 Patriots will be necessary for defense. The Ukrainian Air Force has requested 360 Patriot interceptors. However, only 600 are produced each year. In the same statement Zelenskyy confirmed that Germany has agreed to supply several hundred PAC-2 Missiles for Ukraine’s Patriot air-defense systems in 2027-2028.

• The agreement with Germany comes after a significant drop in Patriot interceptor procurement by Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine had received 675 missiles in 2023 and only 364 in 2025 despite increased Russian attacks. The Ukrainian President expects Germany to provide 600 Patriots, although the German government has yet to confirm the exact number.

• Ukraine will continue to coordinate with the United States to ensure that the volumes of interceptors that Ukraine needs will be available as the US seeks to increase production in late 2027.

Germany to Contribute €50 Million to Repair the Russian-Damaged Chornobyl Confinement

• According to the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, Germany will allocate €50 million to restore the New Safe Confinement of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant previously damaged by a Russian drone strike in February 2025.

• The German contribution will be transferred to the Chornobyl International Cooperation Account (CICA) with the full cost of the restoration estimated to be about €500 million. The European Commission, United States, and Kingdom of Norway have previously declared their willingness to contribute to the Confinement’s restoration.

Germany Pledges €50 Million in Humanitarian Support to Ukraine Ahead of Winter

• In the midst of heavy Russian strikes against Ukrainians Germany will provide €50 million in humanitarian support to assist people residing in regions along the front lines and prepare for the coming winter. The funding will go directly to UN organizations and NGOs to quickly provide mobile sanitation facilities, housing repairs, and heating equipment, and other supplies to citizens that are independent of main energy stores.

• Germany will also give €10 million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine to decentralize energy supplies for the military, tools in military hospitals, and air defense equipment.

Germany Prepares to Blame Russia for Leipzig Drone Attack

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is planning a major response to the attempted attack on Leipzig Airport, where explosive-laden drones were discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft in August. Russia is heavily suspected of coordinating the attempt, and punitive measures could include “extensive” sanctions against Russian entities and increased weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

• Germany is coordinating its response with EU and NATO partners, while Brussels separately prepares additional EU sanctions against 1,600 Russian individuals and companies by mid-October.

Take Action

• Call on the Budget Committee (Haushaltsausschuss) to protect aid for Ukraine

• Support Local Municipal Twinning (Städtepartnerschaften)

• Engage via petitions to the Bundestag

Ukraine