In the draft budget for 2024, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner included a small amount of funds for assistance to Ukraine, resulting in a shortfall of more than EUR 5 billion, in connection with which the German Ministry of Defense is sounding the alarm, Interfax-Ukraine reports with reference to Bild.
According to information released by the German publication, the draft budget indicates only EUR 120 million for Ukraine, although the German Ministry of Defense expects that Kyiv will need EUR 5.22 billion in 2024. The Bundeswehr indicates where more money should be allocated, in particular EUR 880 million for air defense, EUR 675 million for armored combat vehicles, EUR 390 million for training, EUR 935 million for protective equipment, EUR 2.34 billion for repairs, spare parts and logistics.
Also, the budget does not include EUR 525 million to replace the equipment already transferred to the Bundeswehr. The publication notes that the budget will be finally approved in mid-November, by that time negotiations will begin.
"We must keep our word. We must not run out of financial resources when it comes to helping Ukraine next year," said Andreas Schwarz, the committee's defense budget manager.
