UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that his government is contemplating applying to join the second phase of the European Union's Euro Defense Fund project. According to Jin10, UK ministers are preparing to meet with EU officials this week to discuss the matter. The European Commission is considering launching the second edition of the SAFE loan program, driven by increasing concerns over Russia and doubts about U.S. President Donald Trump's commitment to European security. Europe is seeking to bolster its defense capabilities in response to these challenges.
Previously, the UK had planned to join the first edition of the SAFE fund, valued at 150 billion euros (approximately 177 billion dollars). However, the plan fell through last November when the Starmer government refused to pay the required contribution, hindering efforts to renew UK-EU relations post-Brexit. When asked about the possibility of joining the new SAFE edition, Starmer emphasized the need for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities.