Germany to double military aid to Ukraine

Germany's defense minister announced that Berlin will double military aid to Ukraine to $8.5 billion in 2024.

"This is a strong signal to Ukraine, showing that we will not abandon them," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on November 12, in the context of international public opinion focusing on the Israel-Hamas war.

The parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government earlier agreed to double an initial aid package, which mainly included military equipment, to Ukraine, a decision that will be approved by the German parliament in a vote this week.

According to Mr. Pistorius, the decision to increase military aid to 8 billion euros ($8.5 billion) was made based on the situation of providing military support to Ukraine this year. "The amount of aid planned for 2023 has quickly run out," he said.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a press conference in Berlin on June 14. Photo: AFP

Germany has been one of Ukraine’s main supporters since Russia launched its offensive early last year, providing 22 billion euros ($23.5 billion) in humanitarian, financial and military aid. However, Berlin has ruled out supplying the long-range Taurus missiles requested by Kiev, fearing they could be used to target Russian territory.

Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies for more military aid in recent months, but its efforts have been hampered by the lack of significant results from a counter-offensive launched in June.

European Union diplomats said last week that the bloc's plan to spend 20 billion euros ($21 billion) on military aid for Ukraine was facing opposition from member states, especially Hungary.

Huyen Le (According to AFP , Reuters )

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