Germany’s budget committee approved yesterday another €3 billion in military aid for Ukraine after chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz pushed through reforms to ramp up investment in defence.
Both houses of parliament passed plans this week by Merz’s conservatives and the Social Democrats, who are in talks to form the next German government, that lift a long-held cap on debt.
The fresh aid includes €2.5 billion this year, topped up by other contributions, including a reimbursement from the European Peace Facility.
The Finance Ministry also plans to authorise commitments of €8.2 billion for the years 2026 to 2029, bringing the total to more than €11 billion.
It was “high time” for the parliamentary committee to clear the use of the funds and Germany was now setting the pace for Europe’s support of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Baerbock said in a statement.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing on X, said Kyiv was grateful for the assistance, which he said would strengthen defence and other related capabilities.
“German weapons have already saved thousands upon thousands of Ukrainian lives. They will save even more in the current and coming years,” Sybiha wrote.
“A strong Ukrainian army will be the most important security factor in Ukraine and Europe for many years to come.”
France is set to host a meeting of the coalition of willing on 27 March to offer Ukraine security guarantees without involving US troops and discuss a potential ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the meeting in person, French President Emmanuel Macron said during the EU Summit on Thursday.
[MM]