Croatia to tap EU's €150 bln defence loan pool to arm Ukraine
The support will be provided through the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a loan-based initiative for joint defence procurement with a total lending capacity of €150 billion. Croatia is one of 18 EU countries that expressed interest in the programme last week, although it has not yet disclosed how much funding it will request.
' Andrej Plenković noted that Croatia will contribute its share to support Ukrainian defenders,' reads a statement on the call.
The two leaders also discussed a ne w US initiative, whereby European allies would cover the cost of American defence equipment sent to Kyiv. This plan, unveiled by US President Donald Trump in mid-July, aims to boost both Ukraine's battlefield supplies and European purchases of US-made arms.
SAFE enables countries to procure ammunition and missiles for Ukraine. Last month, EU Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius urged capitals to include Kyiv in their procurement plans under the SAFE instrument.
Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are also considering using SAFE to support Ukraine. Bulgaria's recent expression of interest outlines potential joint purchases with Kyiv, particularly of 155 mm ammunition, and opens the door to the involvement of Ukrainian defence manufacturers.
"The country welcomes the possible inclusion of Ukrainian defence industry in any future joint acquisition of defence articles and other products with defence applications under the eligible categories of the SAFE instrument,' it reads.
Other capitals may also use SAFE loans to help replenish Ukraine's stockpiles. EU countries have until the end of November to submit detailed plans outlining how they intend to use the loans.
In June, Ukrainian Defence Minister Sergiy Boyev presented Kyiv's defence priorities to EU partners, listing air defence systems, missiles, ammunition, artillery and armoured platforms.
'We stand ready for mutually beneficial cooperation toward integrating Ukraine's defence industry into the Eurpean ecosystem,' Boyev told member states.
(de)
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