Zelensky announces Croatia’s readiness to financially support Ukraine under the EU defense program
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently confirmed that Croatia is willing to allocate its share of financial resources obtained through the EU’s SAFE mechanism to support Ukrainian defenders in their fight against Russian aggression.
Following discussions with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Zelensky stated that Croatia has agreed to release funds aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, marking an important step toward ensuring the nation’s security and sovereignty.
Moreover, Zelensky emphasized that their talks not only covered financial mechanisms but also addressed the situation on the front lines, Russian shelling, and joint efforts with international partners to bolster Ukraine’s military forces.
The SAFE program, part of the broader EU plan to modernize and expand member countries’ defense capacities by 2030, involves mobilizing €150 billion in loans, intended to be invested by EU member states in military development.
Recent reports indicate that over 18 countries have already submitted loan requests within the framework of the SAFE initiative, with total demands exceeding €150 billion, reflecting Europe’s strong commitment to enhancing its defense and supporting Ukraine’s resistance.