Hungary on Monday blocked the payment of the eighth tranche of the European Peace Facility (EPF) for EUR500 million for armaments for Ukraine, the Italian edition ANSA reports, citing its own sources.

"A tranche of EUR500 million was to be paid next Monday. Budapest allegedly demanded guarantees that the EPF would maintain its global horizon in the future and would not be used solely to arm Kyiv. The EPF reimburses member states usually 50% of the cost - but there is no fixed standard - to those who donated military equipment to Ukraine," the report reads.

At the same time, the publication regarded such a step by Hungary as "unexpected."

As reported, on May 5, the EU Council agreed on the allocation of EUR1 billion within the framework of the European Peace Facility for the purchase of artillery shells and, if necessary, missiles for Ukraine. From these funds, the provision of 155 mm artillery shells and, if necessary, missiles, to the Ukrainian armed forces, which will be jointly purchased by EU member states from the European defense industry, should be financed.