BERLIN: Germany agreed Wednesday to provide billions of euros of new military aid to Ukraine in the coming years to bolster its fight back against Russia.
Berlin has shifted away from its traditional pacifist stance since Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine last year, becoming one of Kyiv’s biggest military supporters.
Parliament’s budget committee approved about 8 billion euros ($8.7 billion) to purchase equipment and weapons directly for Ukraine.
Around twelve billion euros in total will be released related to the conflict over the next decade or so.
Four billion euros to German army
The other 4 billion will go to the German army to replenish stocks.
Boris Pistorius, German Defense Minister, said that the news represents a significant step in making it clear that we are backing Ukraine in its fight against Russia in the long term.
The minister said the deal would allow supplies, including tanks, armored vehicles, and ammunition, to be delivered to Ukraine in the coming years.
The German military will also be able to buy new equipment.
Critics say the Bundeswehr has suffered from years of underinvestment and neglect.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed a major funding boost for the army.
But progress has been slow; no special hundred billion euro fund allocated for the overhaul has yet been spent.
A senior legislator scrutinizing the armed troops said they lacked everything, with personnel living in “pitiful” barracks.
