EU Boosts Moldova's Air Defenses with New Aid

The EU on Monday pledged €120m ($140m) in financial assistance to significantly strengthen Moldova's air defense capabilities.

In a statement, the Council of the European Union said it had approved the funding under the European Peace Facility to support the Republic of Moldova's armed forces and broader defense capabilities.

Relations between Chisinau and Moscow have deteriorated sharply since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Tensions escalated further in November last year, when Moldova reported repeated violations of its airspace by Russian drones.

Strategically located between Ukraine and EU member Romania, Moldova has a Romanian-speaking majority and a sizable Russian-speaking minority. For decades, the country's politics have swung between pro-European governments and parties favoring closer ties with Moscow.

(Reuters, Max)