The British government has rejected the European Commission's request to contribute 6.75 billion euros to the SAFE defense fund, affecting post-Brexit relations and efforts to deter Russia.

The British government has rejected the European Commission's request to allocate 6.75 billion euros for the SAFE defense fund, which could affect post-Brexit relations and the European Union's efforts to counter Russia's aggression. The Commission requested a fee between 4 and 6.5 billion euros, plus an administrative fee of 150-250 million euros for the UK's participation in the program. The British government stated that it will not accept terms that do not provide value to the United Kingdom.

Although the program is primarily aimed at defense companies from EU member states, discussions have also been held with countries outside the bloc, including the United Kingdom. Negotiations are ongoing, and the differing opinions among EU member states complicate the situation. The coming weeks are crucial to overcoming the deadlock, considering the deadline of November 30 for funding proposals. The SAFE program aims to develop essential defense capabilities for Europe, including drones and cyber defense.