{"id":1961989,"date":"2026-05-29T13:50:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T10:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1961989"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:50:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T10:50:01","slug":"italy-wants-to-pull-back-on-eu-defence-loan-scheme-to-tackle-rising-energy-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1961989","title":{"rendered":"Italy wants to pull back on EU defence loan scheme to tackle rising energy costs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/69\/36\/1200x675_cmsv2_a62a9fc7-0fd5-5559-a23c-e1ae92eca9c4-9776936.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2897214-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2897214\" data-cid=\"9775272\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897214-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" 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class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/57\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_adc818d7-2b44-5b2f-9d13-d8a13b8573a3-9775704.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Greenpeace and the external scientists onboard are livestreaming from depths down to 3000 metres until 30 May. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside the expedition to the Arctic&#8217;s elusive deep-sea &#8216;Banana Hole&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897663-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2897663\" data-cid=\"9777644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897663-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/76\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_e2e3ab89-4df2-50d2-812a-3fcbd2c2e30f-9777644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Shrey Parikh is all smiles after spelling the word &apos;cashaw&apos; correctly\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US spelling bee gets game-show makeover and dramatic finale\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897550-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2897550\" data-cid=\"9777096\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897550-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/70\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_51990a4b-db19-53f8-81d5-0330eaa74e7b-9777096.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An employee of the Stock Exchange passes a display showing stock price movements in Athens, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU&#8217;s six largest economies push for capital markets union\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897658-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2897658\" data-cid=\"9777626\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897658-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/76\/26\/189x106_cmsv2_9602ab57-34cc-5623-b537-385805ee8b52-9777626.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Visitors look at a damaged Iranian-made drone, Shahed, during the International Conference on Expanding Sanctions Against Russia in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, June 27, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What we know about the Geran-2 drone that hit a building in Romania\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Italy wants to pull back on EU defence loan scheme to tackle rising energy costs<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/69\/36\/1536x864_cmsv2_a62a9fc7-0fd5-5559-a23c-e1ae92eca9c4-9776936.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Giorgia Meloni, 2023, file photo\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Giorgia Meloni, 2023, archive photo<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspIsidoro Patalano\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1780062601\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-29 15:50:01 +02:00\">29\/05\/2026 &#8211; 15:50 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is a loan instrument designed to provide financial support to EU member states to speed up defence readiness.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Giorgia Meloni&#8217;s government is changing course on military spending and has decided to send a clear message to Brussels.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Italy had reserved 14.9 billion euros under the EU&#8217;s &#8220;SAFE&#8221; defence loan scheme, but Rome now intends to use between just four and five billion &#8211; just enough to cover projects for which contracts have already been signed.<\/p>\n<p>Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is an EU loan instrument designed to provide financial support to member states to speed up defence readiness and close capability gaps.<\/p>\n<p>The government&#8217;s new plan was set out by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in a series of interviews on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Rome says it wants to pursue a balanced approach while it awaits the outcome of negotiations with Brussels to secure flexibility on spending to tackle soaring energy prices.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On SAFE we will ask for less than the 15 billion envisaged,&#8221; Tajani said on Rete 4&#8217;s Dritto e Rovescio. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have to honour the commitments we have made with NATO, but this is not the time to tap that loan so heavily. We hope to get at least a positive response. We are fighting for it, we hope to see some movement,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<h2>The energy issue<\/h2>\n<p>For the government, the priority is now energy. Italy is feeling the impact of the global energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran and by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We cannot tell citizens that there is money only for defence,&#8221; Meloni told Mattino Cinque. &#8220;If in the face of crises, we are unable to give answers to citizens and businesses, we risk there being nothing left to defend in this country. So, we have to try to find a balance.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>To increase pressure on Brussels, the Italian government has decided to let the 31 May deadline for submitting SAFE projects pass without sending anything.<\/p>\n<p>Rome considers the deadline &#8220;not binding&#8221; and will wait until Wednesday 3 June, when Ursula von der Leyen is expected to reply to a letter sent by the prime minister on 18 May.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, a separate proposal has come from Raffaele Fitto, executive vice president of the European Commission and commissioner for regional policy.<\/p>\n<p>The commissioner has written to governments and regional leaders in the EU proposing to &#8220;reallocate existing European funds&#8221; \u2013 such as the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund \u2013 to combat high energy prices, cut dependence on fossil fuels and secure fertiliser supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>His proposal comes after a review that had already diverted part of those funds, amounting to 34.6 billion euros, towards energy security, competitiveness and defence.<\/p>\n<h2>Gentiloni attacks the government<\/h2>\n<p>The government&#8217;s strategy has been strongly criticised by former prime minister and former European commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, who in an interview with La Stampa took aim at the executive.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Enough with the attacks on Europe, this way we risk making ourselves look ridiculous. We are last in terms of growth and first in terms of debt, even though Italy has received an enormous amount of European funds,&#8221; Gentiloni said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Saying that the problem lies in Brussels&#8217; bureaucratic excesses is like those who used to say that Palermo&#8217;s problem is the traffic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Meloni, for her part, is pressing ahead and defending the stability of her government, convinced that by September it will become the longest lasting in the history of the republic. Stability which, according to the prime minister, brings international credibility.<\/p>\n<h2>The E5 summit<\/h2>\n<p>Elsewhere, a small diplomatic incident is brewing with Germany. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to convene an E5 summit in Berlin on 2 June with the United Kingdom, France, Poland and Italy.<\/p>\n<p>The informal summit has been called to discuss NATO and Ukraine in the presence of the Alliance&#8217;s secretary general Mark Rutte and Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov. But Rome has asked Berlin to move the meeting to 3 or 4 June, as it would otherwise clash with Italy&#8217;s Republic Day.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We would never have asked the French to come to Rome on 14 July,&#8221; government sources say, revealing their irritation. If Germany sticks to 2 June, Italy could instead be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  More money for the military &#8211; to do what? MEPs clash over Europe&#8217;s defense spending on The Ring<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  What we know about the Geran-2 drone that hit a residential building in Romania<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Italy wants to pull back on EU defence loan scheme to tackle rising energy costs<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Giorgia Meloni<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Defence<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Italy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2897499-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897499\" data-cid=\"9776852\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897499-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/70\/97\/320x180_cmsv2_1626cab3-3bf2-53a7-810d-74d1b897badc-9777097.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This photo released by Romania&apos;s Department for Emergency Situations shows a fire on top of a block of flats after a drone crash caused an explosion and fire on impact.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian drone crashes into Romanian apartment block, sparking outcry<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2897547-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897547\" data-cid=\"9777092\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897547-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/70\/92\/320x180_cmsv2_d4bff76f-21ed-5e4f-a78d-58d65abab5c6-9777092.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU denounces Russia&#8217;s &#8216;reckless&#8217; escalation after drone hits Romania<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2897571-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897571\" data-cid=\"9777264\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897571-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/72\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_a3508379-f901-549b-b800-c931dce8674f-9777264.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nato exercises \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO exercises at Finnish-Russian border as drone incursions mount<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2897607-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897607\" data-cid=\"9777387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897607-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/73\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_6664190d-8504-5e90-ae7f-0d6ebe6bfce5-9777387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - A Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launchers fires towards Ukrainian positions. Friday, March 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia launches attack at Odesa region, cutting power for thousands<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2897617-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897617\" data-cid=\"9777479\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897617-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/74\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_eee90699-2ef1-5bd6-899b-77bc62b500f0-9777479.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: US President Donald Trump points as Vice President JD Vance watches at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, 25 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran-US deal nears finish line \u2014 but Trump and Khamenei must say yes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2897258-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897258\" data-cid=\"9775811\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italian police seize more than \u20ac200m in late mafia boss&#8217;s assets<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2897499-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897499\" data-cid=\"9776852\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian drone crashes into Romanian apartment block, sparking outcry<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2897386-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897386\" data-cid=\"9776262\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greece vs T\u00fcrkiye: Which is more affordable for European tourists?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article 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class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897499-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897499\" data-cid=\"9776852\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897499-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/70\/97\/320x180_cmsv2_1626cab3-3bf2-53a7-810d-74d1b897badc-9777097.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This photo released by Romania&apos;s Department for Emergency Situations shows a fire on top of a block of flats after a drone crash caused an explosion and fire on impact.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian drone crashes into Romanian apartment block, sparking outcry<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897547-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897547\" data-cid=\"9777092\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897547-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/70\/92\/320x180_cmsv2_d4bff76f-21ed-5e4f-a78d-58d65abab5c6-9777092.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU denounces Russia&#8217;s &#8216;reckless&#8217; escalation after drone hits Romania<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897571-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897571\" data-cid=\"9777264\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897571-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/72\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_a3508379-f901-549b-b800-c931dce8674f-9777264.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nato exercises \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO exercises at Finnish-Russian border as drone incursions mount<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897607-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897607\" data-cid=\"9777387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897607-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/73\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_6664190d-8504-5e90-ae7f-0d6ebe6bfce5-9777387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - A Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launchers fires towards Ukrainian positions. Friday, March 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia launches attack at Odesa region, cutting power for thousands<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897617-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897617\" data-cid=\"9777479\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2897617-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/74\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_eee90699-2ef1-5bd6-899b-77bc62b500f0-9777479.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: US President Donald Trump points as Vice President JD Vance watches at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, 25 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran-US deal nears finish line \u2014 but Trump and Khamenei must say yes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897258-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897258\" data-cid=\"9775811\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italian police seize more than \u20ac200m in late mafia boss&#8217;s assets<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897499-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897499\" data-cid=\"9776852\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian drone crashes into Romanian apartment block, sparking outcry<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897386-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897386\" data-cid=\"9776262\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greece vs T\u00fcrkiye: Which is more affordable for European tourists?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2897228-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2897228\" data-cid=\"9775324\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    El Ni\u00f1o clashes with climate change as UN warns record heat is coming<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895793-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895793\" data-cid=\"9769082\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood icon Richard Gere pleads for an end to homelessness<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Giorgia Meloni&#8217;s government is changing course on military spending and has decided to send a clear message to Brussels.Italy had reserved 14.9 billion euros under the EU&#8217;s &#8220;SAFE&#8221; defence loan scheme, but Rome now intends to use between just four and five billion &#8211; just enough to cover projects for which contracts have already been signed.Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is an EU loan instrument designed to provide financial support to member states to speed up defence readiness and close capability gaps.The government&#8217;s new plan was set out by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in a series of interviews on Thursday.Rome says it wants to pursue a balanced approach while it awaits the outcome of negotiations with Brussels to secure flexibility on spending to tackle soaring energy prices.&#8221;On SAFE we will ask for less than the 15 billion envisaged,&#8221; Tajani said on Rete 4&#8217;s Dritto e Rovescio.&#8221;We have to honour the commitments we have made with NATO, but this is not the time to tap that loan so heavily. We hope to get at least a positive response. We are fighting for it, we hope to see some movement,&#8221; he added.The energy issueFor the government, the priority is now energy. Italy is feeling the impact of the global energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran and by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.&#8221;We cannot tell citizens that there is money only for defence,&#8221; Meloni told Mattino Cinque. &#8220;If in the face of crises, we are unable to give answers to citizens and businesses, we risk there being nothing left to defend in this country. So, we have to try to find a balance.&#8221;To increase pressure on Brussels, the Italian government has decided to let the 31 May deadline for submitting SAFE projects pass without sending anything.Rome considers the deadline &#8220;not binding&#8221; and will wait until Wednesday 3 June, when Ursula von der Leyen is expected to reply to a letter sent by the prime minister on 18 May.In the meantime, a separate proposal has come from Raffaele Fitto, executive vice president of the European Commission and commissioner for regional policy.The commissioner has written to governments and regional leaders in the EU proposing to &#8220;reallocate existing European funds&#8221; \u2013 such as the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund \u2013 to combat high energy prices, cut dependence on fossil fuels and secure fertiliser supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.His proposal comes after a review that had already diverted part of those funds, amounting to 34.6 billion euros, towards energy security, competitiveness and defence.Gentiloni attacks the governmentThe government&#8217;s strategy has been strongly criticised by former prime minister and former European commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, who in an interview with La Stampa took aim at the executive.&#8221;Enough with the attacks on Europe, this way we risk making ourselves look ridiculous. We are last in terms of growth and first in terms of debt, even though Italy has received an enormous amount of European funds,&#8221; Gentiloni said.&#8221;Saying that the problem lies in Brussels&#8217; bureaucratic excesses is like those who used to say that Palermo&#8217;s problem is the traffic.&#8221;Meloni, for her part, is pressing ahead and defending the stability of her government, convinced that by September it will become the longest lasting in the history of the republic. Stability which, according to the prime minister, brings international credibility.The E5 summitElsewhere, a small diplomatic incident is brewing with Germany. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to convene an E5 summit in Berlin on 2 June with the United Kingdom, France, Poland and Italy.The informal summit has been called to discuss NATO and Ukraine in the presence of the Alliance&#8217;s secretary general Mark Rutte and Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov. But Rome has asked Berlin to move the meeting to 3 or 4 June, as it would otherwise clash with Italy&#8217;s Republic Day.&#8221;We would never have asked the French to come to Rome on 14 July,&#8221; government sources say, revealing their irritation. If Germany sticks to 2 June, Italy could instead be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/29\/italy-wants-to-pull-back-on-eu-defence-loan-scheme-to-tackle-rising-energy-costs&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/69\/36\/1200x675_cmsv2_a62a9fc7-0fd5-5559-a23c-e1ae92eca9c4-9776936.jpg&#8221;] Earth News Inside the expedition to the Arctic&#8217;s elusive deep-sea &#8216;Banana Hole&#8217; Culture news US spelling bee gets game-show makeover and dramatic finale Markets EU&#8217;s six largest economies push for capital markets union Europe News What we know about the Geran-2 drone that hit a building in Romania Earth News Inside the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1961989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1961989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961989\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1961989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1961989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1961989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}