EU Bends 'Buy European' Rules to Fund US-Made Patriot Missiles for Ukraine

The European Union has agreed to an exception to its 'Buy European' procurement rules, allowing Ukraine to use €3.2 billion in EU loan funds to purchase US-made Patriot air defense missiles. This decision, welcomed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, aims to bolster Ukraine's air defenses against Russian attacks, with contracts for nearly 1,000 Patriot missiles being finalized.