The German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius aim to mobilize an additional budget of approximately 3 billion euros for further arms supplies to Ukraine ahead of the Bundestag elections, scheduled for February 23. However, the plans for military assistance are being delayed by Olaf Scholz's office.
This was reported by Der Spiegel.
Shmyhal announced the volume of assistance to Ukraine from Germany since the beginning of the invasionIn nearly three years of full-scale war, Germany has provided more assistance to Ukraine than any other country in Europe.According to the publication, the ministries of Baerbock and Pistorius have already begun drafting a new aid package for Ukraine after the coalition collapsed in November. The list included three Iris-T air defense batteries with missiles, Patriot missiles, ten wheeled howitzers, and artillery ammunition.
In justifying the request for additional expenses, the ministries noted that Ukraine's urgent needs could not have been anticipated during previous planning – the military situation has significantly worsened in recent months due to Russian advances on the front, as well as the uncertain situation following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S.
However, the implementation of the plan was halted at the beginning of the year due to a signal from Scholz's office indicating that he does not support the idea.
As Spiegel learned, the office justified its veto against the 3 billion plan by stating that it does not want to put the future federal government in a position of having to accept a fait accompli. Furthermore, Scholz's office does not see an urgent need for any action. They consider the previously allocated 4 billion euros, along with the 50 billion dollar loan provided by the G7, to be sufficient.
Without the support of the office, the plan has little chance of being realized. Sources within the Social Democrats believe that Scholz does not want to announce further arms supplies to Ukraine amidst the election campaign to avoid alienating potential voters.
Recall that at the end of December, Germany transferred a new military aid package to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which included, among other things, tanks and air defense systems.
At yesterday's "Ramstein" meeting, Boris Pistorius promised to provide Ukraine with missiles for the IRIS-T systems.
Other news regarding assistance from Germany: earlier, Olaf Scholz ruled out the possibility of sending German troops to Ukraine.
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