Germany on Friday approved three billion euros ($3.25 billion) in new military aid for Ukraine, a few days before planned US-brokered talks with Moscow and Kyiv on a limited truce.
The money is reportedly earmarked for defence equipment for the country fighting Russian forces, including munitions, drones, armoured vehicles and air defence systems.
The German parliament’s budget committee approved the funds, which had been on hold for months following discord in the coalition government of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
However, the final adoption on Friday of a major new spending package that also eased Germany’s strict debt rules for defence outlays gave the government new room for manoeuvre.
Greens MP Britta Hasselmann, whose party has strongly pushed for Ukraine aid, expressed relief the new billions were being released, although late.
She described it a strong signal to Ukraine, a signal that is absolutely necessary for peace and security in Europe.
The financial aid comes on top of four billion euros in Ukraine military aid already planned in Germany’s budget for 2025.
A further 8.3 billion euros were earmarked for Kyiv for 2026 to 2029.
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit has said the latest package would include units of the German-made Iris-T air defence systems that had yet to be built and would be delivered over the next two years.
