The planned new military aid package of three billion euros for Ukraine is not stalled, according to the German government, but only delayed due to financial concerns. “It was exclusively about the question of financing” said government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit on Friday in response to a question from the dpa news agency. “I don’t know of any other approach” he added.
The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” had previously reported that the arms aid, which SPD, CDU, Greens and FDP had agreed on in principle, was in jeopardy. The report mentioned that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was blocking the plan. Scholz has been repeatedly accused of preventing various military aid packages to avoid provoking Russia or to appease certain voter groups. However, the government spokesperson attempted to dispel this notion on Friday, stating that the Chancellor’s position on the issue is well-known: he is in favor of providing an additional three billion euros for bilateral military aid to Ukraine, but only if there is a corresponding financing.
This corresponding financing cannot simply be achieved through budget cuts, as the current budget gap already amounts to 25 or 26 billion euros. “Even if one is generous and says that 10 billion euros do not flow in, there is still a gap of around 15 or 16 billion euros, which would be increased by another three billion euros” Hebestreit said.
The next federal government, which the Chancellor also plans to be a part of, will face the task of establishing a constitutionally sound budget. “This is a task that the outgoing federal government has not managed to achieve, which is why the coalition broke up in November” Hebestreit said.