The European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, reported that all 150 billion euros in loans under the “Security Action for Europe” (SAFE) scheme have already been allocated among 19 EU countries. Of these, 13 states intend to use the funds received to assist Ukraine. This financial support will be a key tool for enhancing defense capabilities in light of the threat from Russia.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“Most member states (13 of those who applied) indicated that they plan to use SAFE loans to support Ukraine. While the amounts have not yet been specified, we expect that SAFE will be a key instrument in this matter,” Kubilius noted.
Distribution of loan funds and leaders among recipients
Requests from EU countries exceeded the declared amount of 150 billion euros, so the final sums were adjusted. Poland will receive the largest share of the funds — 43.7 billion euros, followed by Romania with 16.7 billion. Hungary and France each applied for 16.2 billion. Next are Italy (14.9 billion), Belgium (8.3 billion), Lithuania (6.4 billion), Portugal (5.8 billion), and Latvia (5.7 billion).
Among the participants in the scheme are also Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Slovakia, and Spain. Eight EU countries did not submit applications as they have the ability to attract funds independently under favorable conditions.
Investment plans and priorities for defense projects
By the end of November 2025, all 19 participating countries must prepare investment plans regarding the use of the received loans. The European Commission will review these documents, after which the first payments are planned to be made in the first quarter of 2026.
Investments will be directed towards three main areas: large-scale European projects of common interest, such as the missile defense system or the “Eastern Defense Shield” initiative (which includes the “drone wall” and engineering counter-mobility measures, to which the Ukrainian side has also contributed); strategic means of provision, including secure satellite communication, space intelligence, logistics modernization, and heavy transport aircraft; and mass production of tanks and artillery.
In addition, the SAFE scheme provides for a 10-year grace period for loan repayment, low interest rates, and the possibility of cooperation with partner countries that are not EU members but have defense equipment of interest to the European Union, including Norway, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.