Croatia Plans EU Defence Loans Support for Ukraine

Croatia has committed to using the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan program to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities, as confirmed in a series of discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. SAFE, a €150 billion EU initiative, supports joint defense procurement and enables EU countries to finance weapons and ammunition purchases for Ukraine, including American arms under a new US-backed mechanism. This cooperation is part of broader efforts by European allies, including Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, to fund high-priority American weapon supplies to Ukraine, following a US-NATO agreement signed in July 2025. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of this partnership amid increasing Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians and the ongoing need to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces. Croatia, which has already provided €200 million in aid, is preparing to allocate its share of SAFE funds and continue political, military, and humanitarian support, while also engaging in diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire. These initiatives reflect a coordinated European and US-backed strategy to enhance Ukraine's defense capacity during the ongoing conflict.