Minister: Germany spends over $40 billion in aid to Ukraine

Head of Germany’s Federal Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Tasks Wolfgang Schmidt has said that Berlin provided 40 billion euros ($41 billion) in aid to Ukraine since the war began.

Schmidt revealed that Germany is the biggest European contributor to Ukraine’s defence and recovery efforts, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

"Including costs for refugees, we have spent over 40 billion euros," Schmidt stated.

He noted that when the war first erupted, Germany's defence industry was not large enough to meet the demands of supporting Ukraine.

The minister also acknowledged that even for Germany, a wealthy nation, raising such vast sums has proven to be a considerable challenge. 

He explained, "There was no consensus in the governing coalition regarding the possibility of using new loans to support Ukraine." 

Schmidt pointed out that ensuring public support for Ukraine’s aid has remained a priority for Berlin. He noted an "interesting phenomenon" in the public’s reaction: "The media criticized us for not supplying enough weapons, while nearly half of the population, especially in eastern Germany, blamed us for prolonging the war with our support."

Schmidt’s comments underscore the balancing act that Germany faces as it continues to provide both military and humanitarian support to Ukraine while managing domestic concerns about the war’s duration and its financial costs.

Germany has been one of the leading European nations in providing both financial and military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Initially, Germany faced criticism for its cautious approach to military support, but over time, it ramped up its aid significantly. The country has contributed over 40 billion euros to Ukraine, which includes financial support, weapons deliveries, and assistance for refugees fleeing the war. Germany has also provided vital humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Additionally, Germany has taken in a large number of Ukrainian refugees, further solidifying its role in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing crisis.

By Naila Huseynova