Germany to help Ukraine address defense budget shortfall
Photo: Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's team is ready to cover the increase in Ukraine's defense spending and is also calling on Kyiv's other allies to contribute to the effort, Gunther Sautter, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's security adviser, said at the annual YES meeting in Kyiv.
Merz's adviser noted that Germany is currently Ukraine's largest financial donor. At the same time, over the 4.5 years of the full-scale war, Germany ranks second in terms of total aid, behind the US.
According to him, supporting Ukraine's Defense Forces is in line not only with Berlin's commitments to Ukraine but also with Germany's own national interests.
"We have to shoulder this burden. If we don't, the problems will simply be enormous," he explained.
Sautter also stressed the critical importance of continued assistance to Ukraine, warning of serious consequences if it is discontinued.
In his view, supporting Ukraine is an absolutely vital component.
"If this support stops - whether for political or financial reasons - Ukraine will face a huge problem. We are all convinced that this will be a huge problem," he emphasized.
Merz's adviser added that Ukraine's needs remain substantial, so European partners continue to look for additional sources of funding.
"But we know that, unfortunately, there are still additional needs at the moment. Together, we are working to find a solution to this problem," he said.
It will be recalled that Dmitry Shevchenko, Ukraine's former consul in Munich and chancellor of the Ukrainian Free University, recently said that the Alternative for Germany's victory in local elections could eventually affect aid to Ukraine and Ukrainians in Germany.
Friedrich Merz himself had previously issued a similar warning.
