Germany is planning to nearly halve its military aid for Ukraine next year, reducing the amount from around €8bn (£6.7bn; $8.7bn) to approximately €4bn, according to a draft budget approved by the government. This substantial cut comes despite Germany’s position as Ukraine’s second-largest military donor, following the United States.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner has assured that Ukraine’s financing is “secure for the foreseeable future” due to a G7 scheme aimed at raising $50bn from interest on frozen Russian assets. For 2024, Berlin’s budget for Kyiv is set at nearly €7.5bn.
Concerns Amidst Potential US Policy Changes
The planned reduction in aid has raised concerns in Ukraine and among its European allies. There are fears that US funding could be significantly reduced or even halted if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election in November.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, continues to drive the need for military support.
Defense Budget Adjustments
While military aid to Ukraine is set to decrease, Germany’s overall defense budget for 2025 will see an increase of €1.3bn, bringing it to €53.25bn. However, this figure falls short of the €6bn increase that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had advocated for. Germany aims to meet NATO’s requirement of spending 2% of GDP on defense.
The defense budget, including the proposed cuts in aid to Ukraine, still requires approval from lawmakers.
Additional Developments
- Prisoner Swap: On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner of war exchange, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, with each side receiving back 95 military personnel.
- Military Movements: A Ukrainian military source confirmed to the BBC that Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the village of Krynky, a strategic location on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the southern Kherson region. However, Ukraine’s operations in the area are ongoing.
- European Summit: Britain’s new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to host a summit with 45 European leaders on Thursday. The European Political Community (EPC) meeting aims to reset London’s relationship with the continent and offer leaders a platform to reaffirm their support for Ukraine.
