Croatia has officially committed to its 14th military aid package for Ukraine and is working on a 15th package which is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025. This announcement came from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 28, following discussions in Kyiv with Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić.
President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude toward the Croatian leadership and citizens for their ongoing support of Ukraine, highlighting the significance of both the recently allocated and upcoming military assistance. The talks between Zelenskyy and Anušić included a focus on various collaborative initiatives, including air defense systems under the PURL initiative, utilizing the European Union’s SAFE mechanism, and sharing knowledge on veteran affairs. “A separate and highly relevant topic was veteran policy… We are interested in Croatia’s experience in this area,” Zelenskyy noted.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal also had discussions with Anušić regarding the enhancement of defense-industrial cooperation. This includes initiatives surrounding demining efforts and potential collaboration on the production of FPV drones. Shmyhal acknowledged the value Croatia’s experiences could bring regarding post-war recovery and the reintegration of veterans into society, and he welcomed Croatia’s participation in various cooperation mechanisms.
Reports from the Croatian Defense Ministry indicate that Anušić’s visit involved signing a letter of intent for joint weapons production and the development of defense-industry partnerships. Croatian news sources have confirmed that preparations for the 15th aid package are progressing, underscoring Zagreb’s dedication to providing enduring support for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts.
Previously, both countries had signed a Letter of Intent aimed at enhancing joint arms production and strengthening defense ties. Ukraine’s Defense Minister highlighted that Croatia had already delivered 13 military aid packages, with the 14th being part of their ongoing commitments. The continued defense support reaffirms Croatia’s solidarity with Ukraine during these challenging times.