- Initial Information Indicates: No Additional Funds Allotted for Ukraine Aid Support
The German government isn't shelling out any extra cash for Ukraine's military aid at the moment, as per a report by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS). The report cites a letter from Finance Minister Christian Lindner dated August 5, which the Deutsche Presse-Agentur has also viewed. Instead, the government is banking on G7 nations providing assistance to Ukraine using the interest generated from frozen Russian state assets. The Finance Ministry, however, has left the door open for discussions.
No clarification on the matter
The Finance Ministry declared, "All decisions regarding aiding Ukraine are made in collaboration with the Federal Chancellery." A spokesperson for the Federal Press Office declined to comment on the FAS report, saying, "No comment has been issued on whether the information is factually accurate or not." The Federal Ministry of Defense simply pointed towards the Finance Ministry and the Chancellery.
New measures contingent on budget allocation
In his letter, Lindner mentioned that fresh measures could only be considered if funds were allocated in this year's and upcoming budgets and the limits set were adhered to. The letter was addressed to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. CDU budget spokesman Ingo Gädechens told FAS, "Olaf Scholz and his traffic light coalition are suddenly freezing the financial and thus military support for Ukraine."
Hoping for aid from Russian state assets
The preliminary federal budget for 2025, approved by the cabinet in July, set aside 4 billion euros for Ukraine aid, with no changes anticipated in the new budget agreement reached on Friday. "Most of this amount is earmarked for military support for Ukraine," the spokesperson for the Federal Press Office stated. They also referred to the G7 summit in Italy in June, which plans to provide Ukraine with approximately 50 billion US dollars in aid by year's end, including funds derived from interest on frozen Russian state assets. The Finance Ministry said, "This implies that future bilateral aid from Germany will be channeled to international programs."
Flexibility shown by Finance Ministry
Simultaneously, Lindner's ministry indicated its readiness for further discussions. "The Federal Ministry of Finance is willing to examine the provision of short-term additional funds until then. However, these needs must be clearly reported and verifiable to comply with all budgetary rules and to request approval from the German Bundestag on this basis." The ministry added, "The Federal Ministry of Finance has not yet received a specific need report for this purpose. Consequently, no examination or decision can be made."
FDP's commitment to supporting Ukraine
FDP budget spokesman Karsten Klein pledged, "The West, including Germany as the largest European contributor, will not waver in its support for Ukraine." He stated that this would be monitored during the budget negotiations.
Green parliamentary leader Britta Haßelmann demanded, "Ukraine still needs our unwavering solidarity and support. The necessary financial resources must be made available for this."
The German government had earlier planned to offer military aid to Ukraine this year at a cost of 4 billion euros, but the Bundestag increased this amount to around 7.5 billion euros. A member of the Budget Committee, wishing to remain anonymous, does not see this leverage remaining. "The budget has no more room for maneuver because we also have to close other gaps in the parliamentary process," they said. "There will be no more billion-dollar shifts in the Bundestag – unless we see significantly better economic development in the fall and higher tax revenues than currently predicted." (Report by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung) (Paraphrased)
- The Finance Ministry and the Federal Chancellery are jointly responsible for making decisions regarding Ukraine's aid, as stated by the Finance Ministry.
- In his letter, Finance Minister Lindner mentioned that discussions about new measures for Ukraine's aid could take place if funds are allocated in the current and upcoming budgets, involving both the Federal Chancellery and other ministries.
