The German authorities are boosting their military assistance to Ukraine in 2023.
Due to the grim state of affairs in Ukraine, the German government is enhancing its intended military assistance to the country under attack by Russia. As per reports from news agency AFP lately, the Federal Ministry of Finance has asked for approximately 400 million euros more in funds for Ukraine from the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag. With the existing funds also in play, the federal government aims to supply military aid worth 1.4 billion euros by year-end.
The escalating victories of Russian forces have aggravated the situation in Ukraine, as per State Secretary of Finance Florian Toncar (FDP) in a letter to the Budget Committee chair, Helge Braun (CDU). Ukraine is enduring substantial material damage due to Russia's enhanced superiority in artillery and the deployment of guided missiles. The situation is critical, with a "significant risk" of Ukraine losing its defensive battle without significant reinforcements.
Consequently, Toncar submitted a request for up to 397.3 million euros in extra aid for Ukraine and sought the Budget Committee's approval. This "extraordinary expenditure" for aid to allies was solicited by the Federal Ministry of Defense. With over a billion euros in remaining funds, the objective is to meet the necessary allocation of 1.42 billion euros by year's end.
Recently, the federal government refuted speculations of reducing its aid to Ukraine due to fiscal restrictions. The speculations arose following accounts of delayed arm deliveries due to financial considerations.
As reported by "Der Spiegel" on Thursday, the additional 397 million euros for Ukraine can be sourced from funds not required elsewhere in the defense budget. Seemingly, the Bundeswehr's energy costs had previously been overestimated. The newly discovered solution, therefore, does not necessitate any brand-new or additional budgetary funds, according to the magazine, citing internal government documents.
The situation in Ukraine has almost reached a critical tipping point, as stated by State Secretary Toncar, with Ukraine facing a significant risk of losing its defensive battle without significant reinforcements. Despite rumors of potential fiscal restrictions, the German government has found an alternative way to provide an additional 397 million euros for Ukraine, avoiding any need for new budgetary funds.
