Germany is to halve its military aid to Ukraine next year, according to a 2025 draft budget seen by Reuters. According to the report, Germany had allocated €8 billion for Ukraine in 2024, but this will be reduced to €4 billion next year.
The federal republic is confident that Ukraine will be able to cover most of its military needs with a $50 billion loan from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets and that the funds for armaments will not be fully used.
Washington is pushing for the loans to be granted “front-loaded” and for Ukraine to receive a large lump sum now.
According to officials, EU leaders agreed to the idea partly to avoid Ukraine running into financial disaster when U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House. A potential Trump administration is seen as likely cutting funds to Ukraine, with Trump promising to end the war early in his term.
Reuters also reports that concerns have been raised across Europe this week after the Republican presidential candidate nominated Senator J.D. Vance as his vice president. The Ohio senator has explicitly criticized military aid to Ukraine and warned that Europe should rely less on the United States to defend the continent.
