Ukraine is looking to utilize financial support from the European Union to acquire the Swedish Gripen fighter jet. This announcement follows a discussion between Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson and Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov at a recent EU defense ministers' meeting. Jonson indicated that Ukraine aims to utilize part of the €90 billion in EU loans for military purposes, including enhancing its air defense capabilities with the Gripen aircraft.

The EU previously made a significant commitment to Ukraine by agreeing to lend €90 billion, a substantial portion of which is earmarked for military acquisitions. Jonson expressed the importance of this funding for Ukraine's defense strategy, recognizing that the process of procuring fighter jets and bolstering the air defense infrastructure is crucial in the current context. However, he did not provide specifics on the timeline for when Ukraine might be able to finalize the purchase of Gripen jets.

Discussions are ongoing, with Jonson noting that Sweden is maintaining an active dialogue with Ukraine and is also engaging other countries to explore joint financing opportunities for this initiative. This highlights the urgency and intensity of the negotiations as Ukraine seeks to strengthen its military capabilities amid ongoing conflict, underscoring the collaborative efforts among EU nations to support Ukraine during this critical period.