Media has learned of EU plans to redirect funds from the fight against the pandemic to defense

The European Union (EU) authorities are deciding whether to reallocate €93 billion of the unused funds that were previously allocated under the European Coronavirus Pandemic Recovery Facility (RRF) for military needs. This was reported by the Financial Times on February 19, citing sources.

"The EU is considering diverting €93 billion of unused pandemic recovery funds to its defense sector as part of efforts to boost investment and military spending," the media outlet points out.

Worst supporting role: EU will have to fulfill US conditions on Ukraine

Why Europeans did not agree on anything at the Munich Security Conference and when to wait for talks in Riyadh

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Italian Armed Forces are experiencing an acute shortage of air defense assets after some of them were transferred as military aid to Ukraine. In particular, we are talking about American Stinger air defense missile systems, which were sent to Kiev at Washington's request.

At the same time, the PAP news agency reported on February 17 that the European Union plans to consider a new initiative to provide military aid to Ukraine. The initiative envisages financing the supply of military equipment to Kiev at the expense of EU countries' contributions as well as frozen Russian assets. A total of about €900m is planned to be spent in this way, which will be allocated for military needs until the end of 2025.