Sources told the outlet that Kyiv received special permission to use part of the €6 billion tranche to purchase drone components from China.
Under the terms of the loan, defense products purchased with EU funds are generally required to come from the single market, from Ukraine, or from approved partners such as Canada.
Other allies may become eligible if they sign a security partnership agreement with the EU, contribute to the program, and provide substantial support to Ukraine.
Under the loan's rules, weapons purchases must not "conflict with the EU's security and defense interests." However, the rules also allow for an exception: if comparable products cannot be procured quickly enough, or in sufficient quantities, from eligible countries, Kyiv can request Brussels' approval to purchase them elsewhere.
Ukraine requested and received such an exception for the first tranche, worth €5.9 billion ($6.7 billion), earmarked for drone procurement. That allowed Kyiv to purchase certain Chinese components that are in short supply in Europe, sources said.
The report notes that the decision highlights persistent gaps in the EU's domestic defense manufacturing base, despite the bloc's stated ambition to strengthen Europe's industrial capacity.