Yesterday at 20:05
Ukraine is set to obtain access to the €7.3 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) after the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a political agreement enabling Ukraine’s participation, the European Commission announced, UATV English reports.
The Commission welcomed the decision, highlighting its importance for strengthening both EU–Ukraine defence cooperation and Europe’s collective security.
“This is an important step forward in defence cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, and in strengthening Europe’s collective security and industrial resilience. It also opens the way for Ukraine’s gradual integration into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB),” the Commission stated.
The agreement is part of a broader EU legislative package known as the “mini-omnibus”, aimed at increasing defence-related investments within the EU budget.
The new measures will enhance flexibility and coordination across EU programmes supporting:
- the EDTIB,
- defence innovation,
- military mobility,
- dual-use technologies,
- and critical security infrastructure.
The Commission emphasised that the decision is a key component of the ReArm Europe Plan and directly complements the Mid-Term Review of Cohesion Policy as well as the Defence Readiness Omnibus.
“This marks a new milestone in strengthening cooperation with Ukraine and its defence-industrial ecosystems,” the EC added.
Once formally adopted by both the European Parliament and the Council and brought into force, the regulation will allow the Commission to swiftly implement changes across key EU defence programmes—ensuring more rapid, coordinated support for European defence and integrating Ukraine into the continent’s industrial defence ecosystem.
