A significant dispute has emerged within the German federal government regarding Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to block a new aid package for Ukraine, valued at billions of euros. This internal conflict centers around the differing views of key officials, including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who advocate for increased military support for Kyiv.
Defense Minister Pistorius is pushing for an additional budget of approximately EUR 3 billion to supply urgent weapons to Ukraine prior to the federal elections scheduled for February 23. However, Scholz's office has been reportedly stalling these plans, raising concerns about the urgency of military aid.
For weeks, discussions have unfolded behind closed doors as the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense work on a new aid package. This effort follows the collapse of the ruling coalition in November 2024. Ukrainian military experts have provided a detailed list of essential weaponry, including three more IRIS-T air defense batteries, additional Patriot missiles, and ten wheeled howitzers.
The proposal from both ministries involves seeking unplanned expenses from Article 60 of the budget, a strategy previously employed to mobilize additional support for Ukraine. Baerbock and Pistorius argue that this move would convey a crucial message to Ukraine, reaffirming Germany's commitment to military assistance.
They contend that the urgent needs of Ukraine were not anticipated in earlier budget planning, particularly given the recent escalation of Russian military advances and Ukraine's deteriorating defensive positions. Furthermore, uncertainty surrounds the future of American aid to Ukraine following Donald Trump's electoral victory.
However, as the year comes to a close, the proposal has reportedly reached an impasse, with Scholz's office signaling a lack of support for additional funding. The Chancellor's rationale is to avoid complicating matters for the future federal government and to assert that Ukraine currently has sufficient resources from Germany for the remainder of the year.
The draft budget for 2025 allocates around EUR 4 billion for military aid to Ukraine, which is nearly half of the planned amount for 2024. The German government is also banking on a $50 billion loan for Ukraine approved by the G7, backed by proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
As Germany approaches early elections on February 23, the outcome of this internal dispute could significantly influence the future of military aid to Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.