EU to launch joint projects with Ukraine using at least €10 billion in remaining SAFE funds
The European Commission announced a new program of joint projects with Ukraine financed by remaining SAFE instrument funds, with a minimum of €10 billion available. Separately, the EU is allocating €3.3 billion to Ukraine for defense needs.
Key points
- European Commission spokesperson Tomas Regnier announced the new program in Brussels on September 18, 2026
- At least €10 billion in remaining SAFE funds is available for joint projects with Ukraine
- The final amount depends on signing the remaining SAFE loan agreements
- Hungary's plan under SAFE still needs approval before funds are fully available
- Ukraine has been a full participant in the SAFE program from the start, with loans taken on by member states and Ukrainian companies fully involved
- The EU is separately allocating €3.3 billion to Ukraine for defense needs
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the new program on Wednesday
Why it matters
The announcement unlocks a large new pool of EU funding for joint projects with Ukrainian companies, confirming Ukraine's continued full participation in the SAFE instrument alongside EU member states. A parallel €3.3 billion defense allocation underscores sustained EU military support for Ukraine.
What happened
On September 18, 2026, European Commission spokesperson Tomas Regnier announced in Brussels that the EU will launch a new program of joint projects with Ukraine using remaining SAFE funds. The minimum amount available for these joint projects is at least €10 billion, though the final figure depends on the signing of the remaining SAFE loan agreements, which are still to be concluded. Hungary's plan under SAFE also still requires approval before the funds can be fully available. Ukraine has been a full participant in the SAFE program from the beginning; while loans are taken on by member states, Ukrainian companies are fully involved and can benefit. The EU will implement joint projects with Ukrainian companies funded from the remaining SAFE funds. Separately, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the new program on Wednesday, and the EU is allocating €3.3 billion to Ukraine for defense needs.