Ukraine will be able to purchase Chinese components for drones using funds from a European Union loan.
Kiev has received a special authorization to use a portion of the first tranche of 6 billion euros granted by the EU for this purpose, according to sources cited by Financial Times.
This decision highlights the current challenges in the EU defense industry, as well as China's role in supplying both parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, the publication notes.
According to the terms of the EU loan, defense products purchased with these funds must come from the European Union, Ukraine, or approved partners such as Canada. In addition, the acquisitions must not "conflict with EU interests in security and defense."
However, there is an exception to these rules: Ukraine can request permission from Brussels to purchase goods from other countries if the respective products cannot be quickly procured from countries that meet EU criteria.
The European Union approved a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine in April. Of this amount, 60 billion euros are allocated for the purchase and production of weapons, while the remaining 30 billion euros are intended for budget support.
Volodymyr Zelensky stated in May that China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine and European countries, but continued deliveries to Russia.
Bloomberg noted that Beijing has also reduced deliveries of certain components for drones to Western buyers (such as integrated magnets for drone engines), while increasing deliveries to Russia.
T.D.