BERLIN, Sept 19 (Askume) – Germany will approve additional military aid worth about 400 million euros ($450 million) to Ukraine , according to a finance ministry letter seen by Askume on Thursday.
These funds are in addition to the approximately €8 billion earmarked for Ukraine in 2024.
Germany is the biggest supporter of Ukraine’s military aid in Europe . Ukraine has received arms support from allies but there are fears that support could wane as the war escalates.
“Given the deteriorating military situation in Ukraine, Ukraine’s defense operations are at serious risk of failure without adequate material support,” the letter said.
At the request of the Ministry of Defence, the Treasury Department in a letter sought approval of the additional spending from the House of Commons Budget Committee.
Free Democratic Party (FDP) budget committee member Karsten Klein welcomed the funding request, saying it showed Ukraine could count on German support.
“Ukraine urgently needs more military supplies and equipment to defend its independence and its values,” Klein said.
The Treasury said funding requirements to implement the measures in 2024 must be met immediately for them to have an effect during the rest of the year.
The funds will be used to purchase ammunition, combat vehicles, drones and protective equipment.
The letter said that unplanned requirements of around 397 million euros had only become apparent in the last few weeks and that constitutional and budgetary requirements for unplanned requirements had therefore been complied with.
If the budget committee approves the additional funds next week, Germany’s military aid to Ukraine in 2024 will total 8.4 billion euros.
Germany’s aid to Ukraine will be reduced to 4 billion euros in 2025, according to the draft budget for 2025 , as the country expects Ukraine to repay a $50 billion loan with frozen Russian assets approved by the G7 to cover most of its needs.
(1 USD = 0.8986 EUR)
