European Parliament prepares to vote on Ukraine’s accession to the EU’s Defence Fund
The European Parliament is set to complete discussions and vote on incorporating Ukraine into the European Defence Fund (EDF) by the end of 2025.
This represents a significant step toward strengthening cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the defense sector, opening new opportunities for Ukrainian defense industries and military structures.
According to sources from “European Pravda”, the chief of the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee, Marie-Agnès Strack-Zimmermann, the process is advancing rapidly, with assurances that by the end of this year, a vote will take place on the comprehensive EU Defence Package, which includes the integration of Ukraine into the fund along with joint defense initiatives.
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kupčius added that an interim defense mini-package was agreed upon in October, which would grant Ukraine associate membership in European defense programs.
The European Parliament’s press release emphasizes that legislative initiatives intend to increase funding to cover new areas of defense projects through programs such as STEP, Horizon Europe, EDF, Digital Europe, and CEF, aimed at supporting defense needs under the ReArm Europe plan.
Parliament members insist that these changes will allow for more active involvement of Ukrainian defense industry in joint research and development projects, significantly enhancing Europe’s security cooperation.
Ukraine’s accession to the fund will create new opportunities for Ukrainian enterprises and scientists in the defense sphere, further strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities amid contemporary threats.
The legislative process will involve several stages within the European Parliament committees and the Council of the EU before becoming law, enabling Ukraine to more actively collaborate within European defense initiatives.
This development is part of the broader EU strategy to bolster European defense capabilities and support Ukraine in facing modern security challenges, including cyber threats and air, sea, and space dangers.