Scholz blocks additional aid package for Ukraine, - Der Spiegel
Date: 2025-01-10 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius want to allocate about three billion euros for arms supplies to Ukraine before the Bundestag elections, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz is resisting, Der Spiegel writes.
The publication notes that the list of weapons for Ukraine was compiled shortly after the collapse of the German government coalition in November 2024. This package included three Iris-T air defense batteries with missiles for them, Patriot missiles, ten wheeled howitzers and artillery ammunition.
In the fall, the German Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry explained the need for additional aid by the fact that Ukraine's needs could not be foreseen in previous planning. As the publication notes, this is due to the acceleration of the Russian offensive and the unclear geopolitical situation after Donald Trump's victory in the US elections.
The implementation of this plan was stopped in early January, as Scholz's department unofficially made it clear that it does not support the new package for Kyiv. According to the publication, the reason was that Scholz does not want to present the future German government with a fait accompli.
In addition, Scholz does not see the need for urgent action, considering the allocation of about 4 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year sufficient. In addition, Ukraine can use the $50 billion loan provided by the G7 at the expense of proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
Spiegel's interlocutors suggest that Scholz does not want to announce further arms supplies to Ukraine in the midst of the election campaign. Probably, the chancellor is afraid that this could alienate potential SPD voters.
