The European Union will provide Moldova with 60 million euros ($62.95 million) to spend on defence this year, the European Council’s president said on Monday, to boost the capabilities of the small agricultural country that neighbours Ukraine.

During a visit to the Moldovan capital, President Antonio Costa said 37 millions euros had already been provided to the former Soviet republic via the European Peace facility, making it the second largest beneficiary after Ukraine.

The European Council brings together the leaders of the EU’s 27 member states.

Moldova, which wants to join the bloc by 2030, is already seeking closer ties with the EU, particularly on security and defence.

Addressing a joint news conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Costa said the 60 million euros for this year was “to ensure peace”.

Moldova’s pro-European government has condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and relations between Chisinau and Moscow have deteriorated significantly.

Moldovan authorities occasionally report that Russian drones have violated their airspace and have spoken of finding debris on their territory.

Russia retains a peacekeeping force in Moldova’s separatist Transdniestria region.

Last May, Moldova signed a security and defence partnership with the EU, making it the first country to agree such a deal with the bloc.