Germany pledges €9 billion annually to Ukraine in long-term commitment

Germany has committed to providing Ukraine with €9 billion in annual aid over the coming years, reaffirming its steadfast support for the country amid ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions.

The pledge was made by German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil during a high-level meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Prior to this meeting, Klingbeil held discussions with Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko, exploring various avenues for continued financial and humanitarian assistance.

“As finance minister, I made clear – and this was agreed by the federal government – that we will provide Ukraine with €9 billion in annual support over the coming years,” Klingbeil emphasized.

Arriving in Kyiv on August 25, Klingbeil reiterated Germany’s unwavering backing of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, stressing that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin must recognize that German support will remain resolute.

This declaration comes amidst internal political debates in Germany, where Klingbeil publicly opposed Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder’s proposal to restrict Ukrainian refugees’ access to social benefits.

Furthermore, the vice-chancellor defended Germany’s substantial increase in military expenditure, framing it as a necessary measure to counter the security threat posed by Russia.

By Vafa Guliyeva