Moldova’s defense forces just got another shot in the arm from Brussels. On April 24th, the Council of the European Union signed off on a fresh €20 million assistance package under the European Peace Facility (EPF), this time earmarked for beefing up the country’s short-range air defense systems.
This latest round of funding will go directly toward purchasing air defense launchers and missiles, marking the seventh installment of military support for Moldova through the EPF. It follows closely on the heels of a €40 million measure approved earlier this month to boost mobility and command systems tied to air defense.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top foreign affairs official, highlighted the importance of the EU’s growing role in Moldova’s security. “We’re Moldova’s first security partner,” she said. “This isn’t just about gear—it’s an investment in peace and people. From protective equipment to mobile ambulances, everything we’re delivering helps modernize Moldova’s military while respecting the country’s neutrality.”
So far this year, the EU has pledged €60 million in military aid to Moldova, bringing the total to nearly €200 million since 2021. The growing stack of support is part of a broader push to bring Moldova’s defense capabilities up to par with EU standards and enhance cooperation between the small Eastern European nation and its western allies.
The timing is no coincidence. Ever since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Moldova—a small, corruption-plagued country of 2.5 million tucked between Ukraine and EU member Romania—has been steering hard toward the EU. In June 2022, Moldova officially became an EU candidate, and by the following year, formal accession talks were underway. A referendum held in October 2024 narrowly cemented that course, with voters opting to enshrine the pursuit of EU membership in the country’s constitution.
With this latest EPF installment, Moldova’s military makeover shows no sign of slowing down. As the geopolitical stakes in Eastern Europe remain high, Brussels is making clear it intends to keep Moldova within arm’s reach.
