Zelenskyy: Ukraine plans to use EU aid funds to purchase Gripen fighter jets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that part of the European Union’s financial assistance package for Ukraine will be used to purchase Swedish Gripen fighter jets.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Zelenskyy said Ukraine intends to allocate €2.5 billion for the acquisition of the aircraft, according to European Truth.

The Ukrainian leader noted that the country’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, had approved in the first reading and as a whole a bill concerning a loan agreement and memorandum of understanding with the European Union.

The agreement предусматривает the allocation of €90 billion in financial aid to Ukraine over a two-year period, including support for defense spending.

Zelenskyy said the planned purchase of Gripen fighter jets would form part of Ukraine’s broader efforts to strengthen its air defence and military capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Sweden’s Saab-produced Gripen jets are considered among Europe’s most advanced multirole combat aircraft and have been widely discussed as a potential addition to Ukraine’s air force modernization plans.

By Sabina Mammadli