Ukraine Is in the European Defence Funt: the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Has Rarified the Agriment

During its plenary session on September 16, 2026, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on our country’s participation in the European Defence Fund (EDF) Programme. Ukraine has become an associated country to the EDF Programme.

The EDF is a key instrument of the European Union, established to provide funding support for joint defence research and development. Its main objective is to strengthen Europe’s defence technology and industrial base. Joining the EDF is further evidence of Ukraine’s integration into the European innovation space and the expansion of opportunities for our developers and researchers.

Ukrainians can now participate in EDF projects as:

1. Beneficiary / Coordinator. A full member of the consortium who signs the Grant Agreement, receives direct funding from the EU budget and carries out the project’s core tasks.
2. Affiliated entity. An affiliated entity (for example, a subsidiary of the beneficiary) that participates in the project and is entitled to reimbursement of costs incurred on an equal footing with the beneficiary.
3. Subcontractor. An official subcontractor engaged by the consortium to carry out specific core tasks of the project using grant funds.

Please note that the Agreement itself was signed in Kyiv on July, 13 2026.