International

Germany Halves Ukraine Aid Despite Trump Threat

Germany intends to significantly reduce military aid to Ukraine in the coming year, despite the potential return of Donald Trump to the US presidency.

This decision follows threats from former President Trump to cut off US military assistance to Ukraine if he is re-elected.

According to a draft budget proposal, Germany's military aid to Ukraine will be slashed from €8 billion this year to €4 billion in 2025, according to Agerpres. German officials believe that Ukraine will be able to meet its remaining military needs with combined support from the European Union, the United States, and a $50 billion loan secured by the G7 nations. This loan is guaranteed by revenue generated from frozen Russian assets in the West, imposed as sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Washington reportedly pushed for swift approval of the loan to ensure Ukraine does not face a funding shortfall next year if Trump regains power.

Trump recently announced Senator J.D. Vance, a vocal opponent of military aid to Ukraine, as his vice presidential running mate for the upcoming election.

While Germany remains the second-largest donor of military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, behind only the United States, it has faced criticism for failing to meet the NATO target of allocating 2% of its GDP to defence spending. However, the German government has pledged to reach this target next year, allocating €75.3 billion to its military in the draft budget.

Years of neglecting investment in its defence sector now necessitate significant spending increases for Germany to replenish its stockpiles of weapons and ammunition. This depletion is largely attributed to the military aid provided to Ukraine, which included three US-made Patriot anti-aircraft systems.

A May poll revealed that 40% of German citizens surveyed suggested reducing funding for Ukraine's war effort as a potential solution to address budgetary concerns. It's important to note that Germany's ability to borrow money is restricted by a constitutional provision.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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