Scholz blocks new aid package for Ukraine

According to the media, the list of weapons for Ukraine was drafted shortly after the dissolution of Germany’s ruling coalition in November 2024. It included three Iris-T air defense batteries with missiles, Patriot missiles, ten wheeled howitzers, and artillery ammunition.

At that time, the German Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Defense explained the necessity of additional aid due to Ukraine’s unforeseen needs in previous planning. Specifically, this referred to the acceleration of Russia’s offensive and uncertainties about continued US military support for Ukraine following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.

The implementation of this plan stalled in early January because Scholz’s office unofficially indicated it did not support allocating additional funds to Ukraine. The media notes that the reasoning was to avoid forcing a future German government into a pre-decided course of action.

Furthermore, Scholz’s office sees no urgent need for action, arguing that the approximately 4 billion euros earmarked in the previous 2025 budget for military aid to Ukraine is sufficient. They also pointed to the possibility of utilizing the $50 billion G7 loan funded through frozen Russian assets.

Sources of Der Spiegel suggest that Scholz may want to avoid announcing further arms deliveries to Ukraine during the election campaign to prevent alienating potential Social Democratic Party voters.

Taurus missiles for Ukraine

Discussions about providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine are ongoing in Germany. For instance, CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz expressed support for supplying these missiles to Ukraine’s armed forces but suggested consulting the US first.

Interestingly, the Green Party’s chancellor candidate also backed providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

However, Scholz has firmly opposed the transfer of these missiles, arguing that it could lead to a NATO war with Russia.