This Week in Defence — Brussels (#24, 2026)
Parliament backs AGILE defence innovation pilot; Military mobility rules advance; Defence incorporated in foreign investment screening; Council renews Russia sanctions.
June 21, 2026 to June 27, 2026
Parliament backs AGILE defence innovation pilot; Military mobility rules advance; Defence incorporated in foreign investment screening; Council renews Russia sanctions.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET): On June 29, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
Commission details next steps for Ukraine support at Recovery Conference
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk, President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's long-term support for Ukraine, announcing initial disbursements under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan and the €6 billion defence package for drone procurement. Agreements exceeding €1.1 billion were signed to boost recovery and reconstruction, including funds targeting dual-use and defence technologies, and €343 million to support defence sector private projects such as anti-drone systems and advanced navigation. The Commission launched the European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, aiming to leverage up to €7 billion for infrastructure and strategic industries. President von der Leyen was joined by Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis, Andrius Kubilius, Marta Kos, and Ekaterina Zaharieva, reflecting cross-portfolio engagement in Ukraine’s recovery and defence preparation.
Commission disburses €3.2 billion to Ukraine under Support Loan
President von der Leyen confirmed the first disbursement of €3.2 billion macro-financial assistance to Ukraine under Regulation (EU) 2026/467, part of the Ukraine Support Loan’s 2026 allocation. The €6 billion defence disbursement for procurement of drones is set for the coming days. These payments follow Ukraine’s fulfilment of conditions in the May 2026 Memorandum of Understanding, including tax reforms and improved public financial management. The package covers budget and defence, with further tranches planned for the third quarter and year-end.
Commission launches grant calls and hubs for submarine cable security
The Commission allocated €5.8 million to establish Regional Cable Hubs in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas and opened a €40 million call under the Connecting Europe Facility – CEF Digital to expand cable repair capacity. These actions implement the EU Action Plan on Cable Security, aiming to reinforce defence-relevant digital infrastructure. Finland and Italy will coordinate the Baltic and Mediterranean Hubs, respectively, with the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre overseeing management. The investment package supports cross-border surveillance, coordinated incident response, and rapid deployment of repair resources to mitigate hybrid threats.
Commission proposes extension of temporary protection for persons fleeing Ukraine
The European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine until 4 March 2028, building on the Temporary Protection Directive activated after Russia’s 2022 invasion. The proposal contains new provisions restricting eligibility for those subject to military obligations and foresees coordinated planning for return and reintegration. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Magnus Brunner indicated an ongoing security context as justification for prolongation.
Commission presents Regulation to strengthen Europol and Eurojust
Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen introduced two proposed Regulations to reinforce Europol’s mandate and Eurojust’s operational capacity. The initiatives aim to expand technological capabilities, enable real-time cross-border digital police cooperation, and strengthen support for counter-terrorism, hybrid threats, and crime affecting EU defence and security interests. Eurojust will also cover violations of EU restrictive measures and provide judicial support on emerging areas such as dual-use export breaches and gender-based violence. Commissioner Brunner and Commissioner McGrath previewed streamlined data management and cooperation with the Anti-Money Laundering Authority and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
EU Regulation on screening of foreign investments adopted, including defence sector
Regulation (EU) 2026/1386, adopted 17 June 2026 and published in OJ L on 26 June, introduces a harmonised framework for screening foreign investments in sensitive areas, notably defence, dual-use goods, digital infrastructure, and critical raw materials. The Regulation mandates all Member States to implement screening mechanisms by January 2028, covering military and dual-use production, R&D, infrastructure, and expanded criteria for risk assessments concerning security and public order. Previous Regulation (EU) 2019/452 is repealed.
Council renews restrictive measures on Russia for 12 months in light of Ukraine war
By Decision (CFSP) 2026/1437 (25 June 2026), the Council extended the restrictive measures regime against Russia, originally established under Decision 2014/512/CFSP, until 31 July 2027. The measures cover defence exports, access to capital markets, and technologies relevant for military use.
EP Committee Work
Defence committees adopt AGILE defence innovation programme position
On 25 June, the EP Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Security and Defence (SEDE) jointly adopted their position on the Programme for Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation (AGILE), 2026/0078(COD). Rapporteurs Tonino Picula (S&D) and Ivars Ijabs (Renew) led the report, which focuses on accelerating technology uptake in European defence including AI, robotics, cyber, and UAS. The adopted text emphasises SME participation and swift funding mechanisms. The committees voted to begin negotiations with Council following the plenary notification, with AGILE serving as a pilot in the 2021-2027 MFF period.
SEDE debate—scaling EU defence from prototypes to capabilities
On 22 June, SEDE considered the draft report 'From prototypes to capabilities—enabling new defence actors to scale up' (2026/2025(INI)), rapporteur Mārtiņš Staķis (Verts/ALE). The session addressed capacity building, SME participation, and dual-use technology industrialisation, with a deadline for amendments on 30 June.
SEDE examines EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan arrangements
On 23 June, SEDE held a session with Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General DG DEFIS, on the implementation of SAFE loan arrangements. The state of play review covered the allocation of loans for procurement of defence-related capabilities to Member States, integration with Ukraine support, and plans for further funding streams through the SAFE instrument.
ITRE-SEDE joint vote clears AGILE defence innovation pilot for plenary
On 25 June, ITRE and SEDE committees held a joint meeting to adopt the draft report on the AGILE programme (COM(2026)0135), with rapporteurs Ivars Ijabs (Renew) and Tonino Picula (S&D). The committees agreed to a four-month time-to-grant for selected projects and strict EU ownership and export controls over resulting technologies. The joint position was adopted by a broad majority and sets the basis for first reading interinstitutional negotiations.
What We're Reading This Week
- Video. €2bn wasted? Germany scraps world’s largest frigate project: Germany cancels its massive frigate project, raising concerns over billions in sunk costs and naval procurement inefficiencies.
- As Europe rearms, Ireland’s neutrality and aid policy show what real security could look like: Ireland’s commitment to neutrality and humanitarian aid offers a contrasting vision to Europe’s increasing focus on military buildup.
- Labour succession fight engulfs UK defense spending plan: Internal party conflicts over Labour leadership are complicating decisions on the UK's future defense budget and strategic priorities.
- Germany to take 40% stake in Leopard tank maker KNDS alongside France: Germany will become a major shareholder in KNDS, aligning its tank manufacturing interests more closely with France's.
- Rutte meets Trump to defuse tensions ahead of major NATO summit: Dutch Prime Minister Rutte seeks to ease transatlantic strains with Trump in advance of a pivotal NATO gathering.
