Germany will provide military aid to Ukraine in the amount of EUR7.1 billion in 2024, including a EUR1.1 billion aid package, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a press conference in Berlin on Friday.
“In total, Germany has allocated or committed EUR28 billion for military aid,” he added.
Today, Scholz noted, “we are preparing a new level – EUR 1.1 billion. This includes 36 armored howitzers and wheeled howitzers from industrial stocks, 120 thousand pieces of ammunition, as well as two Skynex systems and missiles for IRIS-T,” Scholz said.
According to him, the signed agreement on military cooperation establishes that Germany will continue to support an independent Ukraine that is defending itself against Russian aggression.
Germany, Scholz said, “will support Ukrainian partners in building modern, defensible armed forces in order to prevent any future Russian aggression.” According to him, “today’s agreement also covers assistance in the civilian sphere, such as demining, energy infrastructure in Ukraine and reconstruction.”
In turn, Scholz noted, Ukraine assumes responsibility for continuing reforms leading to the country’s accession to the EU. “I have to be clear: of course, we all want this war to end as soon as possible. But, unfortunately, we see that Russia is not ready for a lasting and just peace,” the Chancellor said.
He also appealed to the US Congress to “make the decisions that Ukraine needs now to provide financial and military support.”
According to the website of the German Ministry of Defense, on Friday the federal government prepared another package of military support for Ukraine worth EUR1.13 billion.
It includes 18 Panzerhaubitzen-2000 self-propelled howitzers (to be delivered in 2026-2027, including training, spare parts and ammunition, in addition to the 14 already planned), 18 RCH 155 wheeled howitzers (to be delivered in 2025-2027 in addition to the 18 planned), 120,000 rounds of 122 mm artillery ammunition (to be delivered in 2024), a second SkyNex air defense system (to be delivered in 2025), and 100 more IRIS-T SLS missiles (in addition to the previously planned).
“Our Security Agreement with Ukraine is historic. For the first time in its history, the Federal Republic acts as a guarantor state. Today’s signing is a clear sign that Germany is fulfilling its increased security commitments in Europe. Our “Munich package” worth more than EUR 1 billion confirms our ongoing military support for Ukraine and shows that we are fulfilling our promise to stand by our Ukrainian partners in their fight against Russian aggression,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
The Australian government is allocating $AU 50 million ($32.4 million) for military assistance to Ukraine, the money will be transferred to the International Fund and used to purchase military equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Australia Vasyl Miroshnychenko said.
“There is good news from Australia. The Australian government is transferring 50 million Australian dollars (32.4 million US dollars) as military aid to Ukraine. The funds will be transferred to the International Fund for Ukraine (UK) for the further purchase of weapons and equipment for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Miroshnichenko wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday.
According to a report published on the Australian government’s website, Australia’s total support for Ukraine will amount to about $960 million, including $780 million to help the Armed Forces.
“Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainians who defend their people, their territory and their sovereignty. The contribution announced today will bring Australia’s total support to Ukraine to approximately $960 million, including $780 million in assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces,” the press release said.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Monday that Sweden will provide another SEK500 million ($46.75 million) in military aid to Ukraine to help it defend itself against a Russian invasion, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
After talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, Andersson told reporters that her government would give Ukraine an additional SEK1 billion aid package – both military and civilian. She did not give details of the military package, but said it would be similar to previous aid, which, according to the newspaper, included anti-tank weapons, personal protective equipment and demining equipment.
“We will continue to support Ukraine while the war is going on,” Andersson said.
The civilian portion of the package will include purchases of Ukrainian wheat, which will be given to food-insecure countries and help boost Ukraine’s economy.
The report noted that during the meeting, Kuleba urged Sweden to provide Ukraine with howitzers and shells. “While the war is going on, we will ask for more weapons… Every euro, every bullet, every shell counts,” he told reporters.
The Council of the European Union has approved an earlier political decision to provide Ukraine with a new tranche of EUR500 million from the European Peace Fund to strengthen support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to protect the country’s territory from Russian aggression.
The corresponding decision was made on Friday in Brussels, according to the EU Council.
“Today, the Council approved two European Peace Fund (EPF) assistance measures aimed at strengthening EU support for the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to protect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as to protect the civilian population from ongoing Russian military aggression. Thanks to the 5th tranche of EUR500 million mobilized today, the EU contribution under the EPF for Ukraine will now amount to EUR2.5 billion.
Commenting on the decision, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said: “The EU remains focused and unwaveringly supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom and independence. Ukraine needs more weapons, we will provide them. In this context, Member States The EU agreed to mobilize the 5th tranche of military assistance in the amount of EUR500 million, which in total amounts to EUR2.5 billion of military equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The press release details that, in line with the current priorities stated by the government of Ukraine and the support provided so far, the assistance measures include EUR490 million in military equipment designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes and EUR10 million intended to cover equipment deliveries. and for consumables such as personal protective equipment, first aid kits and fuel.
Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov discussed with German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht a package of military assistance to Ukraine from Germany.
“We had a productive meeting of the VTC with German Federal Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht. We discussed the essence of the upcoming security assistance package from Germany to Ukraine. I look forward to the promised support. Thank you for staying with Ukraine,” Reznikov wrote on Twitter on Friday night .
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin said that 20 countries have decided to send additional military assistance to Kyiv.
“About 20 countries have announced new security assistance packages. Many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition (…), tanks and other armored vehicles,” Austin said at a press conference on Monday following a meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group.
He said that other countries have taken on new commitments to train the Ukrainian military.
Austin thanked the Czech Republic for its significant support, including the recent transfer of combat helicopters, tanks and missile systems.
In addition, the chief of the Pentagon announced Denmark’s decision to send Ukraine a Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher and ammunition.
In addition, the Pentagon chief welcomed the contribution of Italy, Greece, Norway and Poland to the supply of Ukraine with artillery. Separately, Austin noted the role of Britain in coordinating the transfer of military assistance to Ukraine.
The chief of the Pentagon announced that the third meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group will be held on June 15 on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
The group’s first meeting took place in April at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
