The Budget Committee of Germany has paved the way for a new €3 billion military aid package to Ukraine, as Friedrich Merz – the incoming chancellor – pushes for increased investments in defense.
Both chambers of Parliament approved Merz’s conservative plan this week, which is being supported by the Social Democrats. The parties are in talks to form a new German government.
Merz’s plans, which were approved by the Upper House of Parliament on March 21, also allow for the creation of a €500 billion fund for infrastructure spending and a relaxation of borrowing rules, enabling higher defense expenditures.
The decision by the Budget Committee was confirmed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
The €3 billion package includes €2.547 billion from the Ministry of Finance, which will be given to Ukraine this year, supplemented by additional contributions, including reimbursement from the European Peace Facility.
The German Ministry of Finance also plans to authorize €8.252 billion for military aid to Ukraine from 2026 to 2029, bringing the total aid to €11 billion.
“It was time” for the parliamentary committee to clear the way for the use of funds, and now Germany is setting the pace for Europe’s support for Ukraine, Baerbock said in a statement.
“The military situation in Ukraine has become more difficult in recent months,” she added.
European Union members, whose leaders met this week to discuss aid for Ukraine, are under pressure to demonstrate their commitment to Ukraine as it faces Russia’s invasion, with increasing uncertainty about the future of security guarantees from the United States under Donald Trump’s leadership.
