The German Minister of Defense announced on Sunday, November 12, a doubling, to 8 billion euros, of the military aid initially planned by his country for Ukraine in 2024. “This constitutes a strong signal to Ukraine showing that we are not letting it down”, declared Boris Pistorius on the public television channel ARD, questioned about information from the German press published on the doubling of the budget envelope.
Germany, one of the main supporters of kyiv
The increase in this military aid also responds “to the experience we had this year and which showed that the amounts planned were quickly exhausted”, he said. The decision must be formalized during a vote in committee of the Chamber of Deputies next Thursday.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Germany has been a major contributor to support for kyiv, having provided some €22 billion to Ukraine in humanitarian, financial and military aid. Berlin notably sent tanks, armored vehicles, ammunition and anti-aircraft defense systems to kyiv.
But Germany is reluctant to deliver long-range Taurus missiles insistently requested by kyiv, for fear that they will be used to target Russian territory. The German announcement comes as the Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russian forces seems to be stalling, with the front line largely frozen.
Increased risk of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure this winter
“We must prepare for the possibility that the enemy will increase the number of drone or missile strikes on our infrastructure,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said during his daily address. “All our attention must be focused on defense […] on everything Ukraine can do to help our people get through the winter,” he added. Last year, the Russian army’s systematic bombing of Ukraine’s energy network deprived thousands of people without heat or electricity for extended periods in freezing temperatures.
“The Ukrainian air shield is already stronger than last year,” assured Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine has received major air defense systems from its Western allies, including US-made Patriots. “Unfortunately, (the air shield) does not yet fully protect the entire territory. We are striving to improve it further,” added the Ukrainian president, calling on the international community to echo this call.
A Ukrainian delegation to the United States
This statement comes as a Ukrainian delegation, including Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and led by Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, arrived in the United States on Sunday to discuss cooperation and support for his country at war.
“I will have meetings at the White House, in Congress, with think tanks and representatives of civil society organizations,” Andriy Yermak said on Telegram. The delegation will discuss “the president’s proposals for peace, strengthening Ukraine’s defense, overall deepening of cooperation and many other important issues,” he added.