European Advocacy for Ukraine: August 2026 Updates

Europäische Union

EU Adopts 21st Sanctions Package

• The EU officially adopted the 21st package of sanctions and restrictive measures against Russia on July 23. The package includes sanctions against 48 individuals and 170 entities with a total of 218 listings, the most in 4 years.

• The goal of this package is to significantly weaken Russia’s economy and condemn the country for targeting public infrastructure and significant cultural and environmental sites during its war of aggression.

• According to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the listings include more than a hundred banks and crypto operators, over 40 Russian shadow fleet vessels, oil refineries in both Russia and Belarus, and over 50 military-industrial entities.

New EU-Ukraine Partnerships for Defence

• During a meeting in Kyiv with President Zelenskyy, EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled a new EU-Ukraine Defence Industrial Partnership which will unite defense firms and “facilitate joint production, investment, and industrial cooperation across both industries,” (EC). More specifically, Ukraine and EU Member States aim to grow the production of drone and counter-drone technology to strengthen defense capacity by the close of 2026. Joint production will also extend to cost-effective anti-ballistic missile systems by 2028.

• Agreements were also made for an EU-Ukraine Drone Deal that will include an additional €1 billion to support the large-scale production of next-generation drones through joint ventures. The funding for this program follows the disbursement of €3.9 billion in late June and is included as the second payment of the €6 billion tranche dedicated to drone procurement in the Ukraine Support Loan.

EU Adopts the AGILE Regulation

• On July 15, the EU officially sought to establish the programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE) and dedicated €115 million to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are creating emerging and disruptive defence technologies. This source of funding can assist in making prototypes operational for use in EU Member States and Ukraine. The programme will also provide fast-track grants and increased access to testing and certification to ensure quality control and meet capability needs. The legislation for the programme was written to be implemented as early as January of 2027.

Vereinigtes Königreich 

UK to Fund €300 Million for Swedish Gripen Jets for Ukraine

• During a visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on July 16 that the UK will be investing 300 Millionen Euro to help deliver a squadron of 16 Swedish Gripen E fighter jets by 2029 in addition to training for pilots and engineers, spare parts, and any additional equipment that is deemed necessary.

• Gripen jets are particularly beneficial for Ukraine due to their low maintenance requirements and abilities to be operated by small crews. They work well alongside NATO machinery and are used for air-to-air combat, striking ground targets, and reconnaissance missions.

UK Finalizes Participation in €90 Billion Ukraine Support Loan

• In a press conference on July 16, Prime Minister Starmer reported that the government had finalized the agreement to participate in the €90 Billion Ukraine Support Loan.

• The EU followed up with a press release on July 22, reiterating that EU countries approved the UK’s participation in the loan to address Ukraine’s urgent financial needs in 2026-27.  

EAU UK Newsletter Updates

• Preparations continue for our flagship Action Forum Ukraine, taking place on Tuesday 8 September 2026 at Ukraine House, London. This year’s theme, “Europe’s Defence-Industrial Future: Lessons from Ukraine and the Path to Strategic Resilience,” reflects one of the defining strategic challenges facing Europe. The forum will bring together parliamentarians, defence experts, industry representatives, academics and civil society to discuss how Europe can build a stronger and more resilient security architecture.

• EAU’s UK Team welcomes volunteers, researchers, policy professionals and supporters who would like to contribute to our work.

Pro-Ukraine Organizations in the UK

• British-Ukrainian Aid supports those affected by Russia’s war through medical and humanitarian assistance, including ambulances, tactical medical equipment, rehabilitation support, and aid for displaced and vulnerable civilians. Get involved by donating money or vehicles, organizing a fundraiser, attending charity events, or becoming a regular supporter.

• Ukraine Charity funds humanitarian projects for Ukrainian children and other vulnerable people, while also supplying medical equipment, evacuation transport, and relief to communities on the front lines. Support its work by volunteering, organizing a fundraising activity, or partnering with the charity on a humanitarian project.  

• The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain is the UK’s largest representative organization for Ukrainians and people of Ukrainian descent, supporting Ukraine by advocating for Ukrainian interests and strengthening the country’s diaspora, culture, schools, archives, and community networks across Britain. Get involved by contacting or joining a local AUGB branch, attending community events, supporting Ukrainian schools and cultural programs, or participating in its advocacy and partner organizations.

Handeln Sie!

• Wenden Sie sich bezüglich der Durchsetzung von Sanktionen an Ihren Abgeordneten

• Zusammenarbeit mit parteiübergreifenden parlamentarischen Arbeitsgruppen (APPGs)

• Nehmen Sie an den wöchentlichen Telefonkonferenzen des EAU UK-Teams teil, um zu erfahren, wie Sie die Unterstützung für die Ukraine verstärken können

Frankreich

France to Supply Military Aid and Production Licenses to Ukraine

• France will supply 16 Rafale aircraft to Ukraine with the first 4 being delivered after training for Ukrainian pilots and engineers is completed as early as 2026. These 16 aircraft will be included as a portion of the 100 Rafale aircraft that Ukraine had started planning to acquire in November of 2025.

• Ukraine will also be the first country to receive the updated Franco-Italian SAMPT-NG systems. As Ukraine waits for the four new systems to arrive in early 2027, it will be loaned 2 SAMP-T systems until the SAMPT-NGs are delivered.

• Ukraine will also receive 5 GM400 radars, 1 GF300 radar, and 1 Kronos radar. All products provided through this agreement with France will be financed by the Hilfskredit für die Ukraine.

• France authorized the licensed and local production of AASM bombs and SCALP missiles in Ukraine with the plan for Ukraine to begin procurement before the end of 2026. Ukraine will also be authorized to produce Aster ⁠30 interceptor missiles.

France-Ukraine Interparliamentary Friendship Group calls for Urgent Strengthening of the Protection of Ukrainian Civilians

• On July 17, the France-Ukraine Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group published a statement condemning the July 14-15 Russian attacks that killed at least 21 Ukrainian civilians with the group’s president, Nadia Sollogoub, calling for the urgent deployment of additional means to protect Ukrainian civilians from attack (Senat).

• The group also acknowledged the lack of Patriot interceptors in Ukraine’s possession, leaving civilians more vulnerable to ballistic missiles. As a result, it heavily supports the Integrated Coalition against Ballistic Missiles formed in Paris on July 13 and urges Ukraine’s partners to quickly implement the commitments made during the summit.

France to Expel Russian Propagandist Xenia Fedorova

• “Certified Propagandist” and former Head of RT France, Xenia Fedorova, resided in France for ten years where she acted as a source of Russian propaganda and disinformation, most notably through her appearances on the news channel CNews and her influence over its media-mogul owner Vincent Bolloré.

• Her lawyer received her ministerial deportation order on July 29, which cited her as a “threat to public order” undermining the “the fundamental interests of the State.” This decision is the result of tireless work by activists and journalists such as Cyrille Amoursky who have made sure the topic gained national attention.

• In addition to the expulsion decree, the French government moved on July 30 to freeze Fedorova’s assets for at least 6 months in order to “avoid further acts of interference.”

Read the full Libération article hier

Handeln Sie!

• Demand your député follow up to ensure the enforcement of Fedorova’s expulsion order

• Engage members of the Commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées for transparency on delivery dates of French military hardware

• Meet your député at their permanence parlementaire to get support for Ukraine written into the 2027 French budget

• Nehmen Sie an den wöchentlichen Telefonkonferenzen des EAU France-Teams teil, um zu erfahren, wie Sie die Unterstützung für die Ukraine verstärken können

Deutschland

German Government Approves Startup and Scaleup Strategy

• Germany’s new Startup and Scaleup Strategy, adopted by the Cabinet on July 22, will prioritize funding and growing innovative companies by reducing bureaucracy and mobilizing investment from public and private sources.

• This strategy will help to rebuild German and European defence capacities to reduce reliance on the United States and increase German GDP by 0.5-1% according to German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche.

• Young companies such as Helsing and ARX Robotics are proving how fast-deployable technology can be derived from non-traditional procurement channels and significantly improve the defense industry after providing systems for use in Ukraine.

Handeln Sie!

• Aufruf an den Haushaltsausschuss, die Hilfe für die Ukraine zu sichern

• Unterstützung lokaler Städtepartnerschaften

• Engagieren Sie sich durch Petitionen an den Bundestag

• Nehmen Sie an den wöchentlichen Telefonkonferenzen des EAU-Deutschland-Teams teil, um zu erfahren, wie Sie die Unterstützung für die Ukraine verstärken können

Ukraine