BERLIN: The governing coalition in Germany, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has reportedly reached an agreement to double military aid for Ukraine in the upcoming year, raising the allocation to 8 billion euros ($8.54 billion). According to sources familiar with the matter, the decision was made in negotiations over the proposed 2024 federal budget, with lawmakers from Scholz’s Social Democrats, the Free Democrats, and the Green party supporting the increase.
If approved by the parliament in Berlin, where Scholz’s parties hold a majority, this move would exceed the 2% of gross domestic product target for defense spending, a commitment made by all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The significant boost in military aid underscores Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, particularly amid ongoing tensions and security challenges in the region.
The decision comes at a time when European Union plans to allocate up to 20 billion euros ($21.4 billion) for military aid to Ukraine faced resistance from some EU member states. Germany’s increased contribution reflects its efforts to play a more active role in European security and global geopolitical dynamics.
