Bloomberg reported on the EU's plans to allocate additional funds for defense
The European Union is exploring the possibility of attracting additional financing for defense after the expiration of the loan in the amount of € 150 billion. This was reported on February 7 by Bloomberg, citing sources.
"Discussions are at an early stage, given that the European Commission, the EU's executive body, is still allocating funds from the current loan program," the material says.
As soon as the funds run out this spring, the commission will evaluate the process and consider the possibility of conducting another round of financing, potentially including a second loan program.
"These negotiations reflect the EU's desire to rapidly increase local defense production <...>, as well as the desire of [US] President Donald Trump to reduce US security commitments in Europe," the material says.
The EU ambassadors agreed on the SAFE loan program proposed by the European Commission on May 21, 2025. The EU fund worth €150 billion is aimed at securing investments in the military industry through long-term loans.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on January 14 that the European Parliament (EP) had approved a loan of €90 billion to Ukraine. She also stated that such significant funds should provide additional benefits for the EU, such as creating jobs and strengthening Europe's defense industry base.
Prior to this, it was reported that after the conclusion of the summit of the coalition of the willing, European leaders, and especially France, could not come to an agreement on the issue of further assistance to Ukraine, which led to the threat of arms supplies to Kiev in the amount of approximately € 90 billion. French President Emmanuel Macron has long insisted that aid to Ukraine be directed to support European defense enterprises and reduce the continent's dependence on the United States.
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