Subtleties of the translation, or in the determination of Germany to support Ukraine "nothing will change"

Exclusive. A narrative is spreading in the media that Germany is allegedly ending military support to Ukraine.

The 21st anti-aircraft missile group in the city of Zanits, at the base of which our soldiers are trained

Germany's federal budget for 2025 envisages a two-fold reduction in spending on military aid to Ukraine, the agency reports Reuters, who got acquainted with the draft document. According to him, in the draft budget, which was approved by the German government on July 17, €4 billion has been earmarked for the support of Ukraine, while currently they amount to €8 billion. Germany hopes that Ukraine will be able to meet most of its military needs through loans for the total sum of $50 billion as a pledge of frozen Russian assets agreed upon by the countries of the Group of Seven, the agency writes.

The day before, after consultations in the federal chancellor's office and preceding months of discussions at the level of the ruling parties, an agreement was reached on the federal budget for 2025 and the government's financial plan for the period until 2028. Germany's defense budget next year will grow from the current €52 billion to €53,2 billion, which is significantly less than the additional funding requested by the German Defense Minister.

At the same time, statements about an alleged reduction in support are incorrect and manipulative, because the German government has planned €4 billion for Ukraine - an amount similar to that which was foreseen last year at this stage of the budget process. Last year, the amount of aid from Germany was increased in the fall during the federal budget vote in the parliament. Ukraine hopes that the German government will find an opportunity to finance the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in 2025 as well.

Plans of the German government to limit aid have already been criticized both in the opposition and in the ruling parties of Germany.

"The traffic light coalition is engaged in politics in the style of Donald Trump, stopping further assistance to Ukraine as a result of internal political strife. The only difference is that for Germany the support of Ukraine means the financing of its own security," for example, said foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany. Plans to end additional aid to Kyiv were also criticized by the Green party, which is part of the German government. "Ukraine clearly needs our full solidarity and support in the future. All the necessary financial resources must be provided for this," stressed Britta Hasselman, chairwoman of the "Green" faction in the Bundestag.

The issue of Germany providing military aid to Ukraine in 2025 is in no way related to the current features of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

On Monday, August 19, the German government already denied rumors that financial aid to Ukraine next year will be limited due to domestic political considerations and problems with the federal budget. "Germany remains absolutely committed to its cause, and the chancellor's words that support for Ukraine will continue as long as necessary and that no one, especially the Russian president, can hope that we will weaken these efforts remain in force," said the deputy the official representative of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, Wolfgang Buchner. The statement that "nothing will change in our participation and determination [will continue to support Ukraine]" is more true.

Since February 22, 2022, Germany has provided the Ukrainian government with about €32 billion in comprehensive aid — in the form of civil support, direct payments or weapons.

Among other things, in March 2023, the Federal Republic of Germany launched a platform for the restoration of Ukraine, which will cover many issues, from the restoration of destroyed buildings to psychological assistance. As stated by the Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, Svenja Schulze, recovery will be a "difficult task" that cannot be solved by governments alone. "The new platform for the recovery of Ukraine will help with this. We want to use it to unite active citizens, companies and communities in Germany and Ukraine," she said. €25 million will be allocated to support the partnership between German and Ukrainian municipalities.

Ukraine expects and hopes that Germany and other allies will be with Ukrainians until the end - until our victory.

Vera Perovskaya