Germany approves $3 billion in military aid for Ukraine
The Budget Committee of the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, has approved a substantial increase in military aid for Ukraine, signaling a firm commitment to supporting the country amidst ongoing conflict. The approved funding includes €3 billion ($3.25 billion) in additional military aid earmarked for 2025, supplementing the already planned €4 billion in military assistance for the same year. Furthermore, the committee has allocated another €8.3 billion for the period spanning from 2026 to 2029, demonstrating a long-term perspective on Germany's support for Ukraine's defense capabilities.
The approval of this additional funding package encountered delays due to disagreements within the coalition government led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz. These internal disputes, which eventually contributed to the coalition's collapse, had put the aid on hold for several months. However, the recent approval by the upper house of the German parliament of a significant new spending package, which also relaxed the country's strict debt rules concerning defense spending, paved the way for Germany to provide the much-needed additional funding.
According to a spokesman for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the aid package will encompass a range of military equipment, including Iris-T air defense systems, guided missiles, surveillance radars, drones, combat vehicles, and light weapons. These resources are intended to bolster Ukraine's ability to defend itself against ongoing aggression and protect its vital infrastructure. German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit clarified that the German-made Iris-T air defense systems are still under construction and are expected to be delivered over the next two years.
Greens MP Britta Hasselmann, a vocal advocate for increased aid to Ukraine, expressed her relief at the release of the new funding, albeit with the acknowledgment that it was
