This Week in Defence — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission disburses €1.24bn to Ukraine for defence; new wave of EU critical raw materials projects; Atalanta maritime force commander appointed; Russia/Ukraine sanctions updated.
October 05, 2026 to October 11, 2026
Commission disburses €1.24bn to Ukraine for defence; new wave of EU critical raw materials projects; Atalanta maritime force commander appointed; Russia/Ukraine sanctions updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Foreign Affairs Council: On October 12, the EU Council's Foreign Affairs Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
Commission disburses €1.24 billion to Ukraine for drones and missiles
On 6 October 2026, the European Commission disbursed €1.24 billion under the defence component of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, targeting the provision of drones, drone interceptors, ammunition, and missiles manufactured by Ukrainian entities. The funding aims to strengthen Ukraine's defence industrial base amid ongoing Russian aggression. The instrument, established by Regulation (EU) 2026/467, provides €60 billion for defence and €30 billion for budgetary assistance over 2026–2027, with €28.3 billion earmarked for Ukraine's defence in 2026. Commission officials, including President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, underlined the EU’s continued support for Ukraine’s defence and resilience. The Commission noted that all financial support is subject to agreed conditions and ongoing monitoring, with further allocations expected in the coming weeks.
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act
On 8 October 2026, the European Commission announced the selection of 46 new Strategic Projects across 16 Member States under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which entered into force 23 May 2024. These projects span extraction, processing, recycling, and integrated operations for 15 of the 17 strategic raw materials, supporting value chains in batteries, defence, aerospace, and permanent magnets. The projects were selected from 102 applications and assessed for technical feasibility, security of supply, ESG standards, and cross-border benefits. The Commission noted the projects could fully meet EU extraction and processing benchmarks for several critical materials, contributing to the CRMA’s 2030 targets. More than €2 billion in financial support has been mobilised to date, with additional calls for projects expected at the end of 2026.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision on appointment of new EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Force Commander
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/2204 of 24 September 2026 appoints Commodore José João Rodrigues Pedra as EU Force Commander for the EU military operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, effective 10 October 2026. This operation contributes to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and Red Sea. The Decision repeals the previous appointment of Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz.
Council Implementing Regulation on sanctions related to Russia’s destabilising activities
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2257 of 8 October 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/2642, updating entries for eight natural persons and deleting one, in response to Russia’s destabilising activities. The amendments follow a European Parliament report and reinforce the EU's sanctions regime.
Council Implementing Regulation on restrictive measures concerning Ukraine
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2263 of 8 October 2026 amends Regulation (EU) No 269/2014, adding one person to the list of individuals subject to restrictive measures for actions undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity. The update follows European Council conclusions from June 2026 reaffirming support for Ukraine.
EU Council
10th EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council convenes in Brussels
The 10th Association Council between the EU and the Republic of Moldova was held on 5 October 2026 in Brussels.
What We're Reading This Week
- Video. Qatar warns 'whole world is paying' for Iran war as talks continue: Qatar cautions that the escalating Iran conflict has global repercussions as diplomatic negotiations persist.
- Video. 35 people killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine's Donetsk region: Russian attacks on Ukraine's Donetsk region result in 35 fatalities, intensifying the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
- Newsletter: From K-pop to K2 tanks, South Korea flexes in Europe: South Korea expands its influence in Europe through cultural exports and major defense deals, signaling broader strategic ambitions.
- Airbus-led consortium to launch German-backed fighter jet project after FCAS collapse: A new Airbus-led team will develop a German-supported fighter jet program, replacing the failed FCAS initiative.
- Russia readying more North Korean troops and missiles, Zelenskyy says: Zelenskyy warns that Russia is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops and missiles in its war against Ukraine.
