The EU has agreed to purchase two helicopter carriers that France originally agreed to sell to Russia, EU Observer reports. The deal for the two Mistral warships stalled last year due to EU sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. EU officials say the move is designed to “forge a genuine European defense policy.” One of the warships will initially go to Latvia with the task of deterring Russian aggression, but it is expected to move to Belgium in July. The deal for the Mistrals costs 1.2 billion euros, and the funds will come from the European Commission, European Defense Agency and the ECB.