Germany to release extra 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine

19/3/2025 19:04

Germany's outgoing government has agreed to release additional 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine this year after lawmakers passed plans for a fiscal overhaul, a finance ministry document seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed.



The move is widely seen as a breakthrough after outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz had insisted on making the easing of borrowing rules a prerequisite for the additional aid.



As uncertainty grows about the future of U.S. security guarantees under President Donald Trump, European states are under increasing pressure to show their commitment to Ukraine in its war with Russia, including with military spending.



Finance Minister Joerg Kukies has informed parliament's budget committee that the requirements for authorisation of the extra funds have been met, according to a submission to the committee from his ministry.



In the letter, the ministry agreed to additional spending of 2.547 billion euros for this year. Together with other amounts, including a reimbursement from the European Peace Facility, Germany will make 3 billion euros available.