Germany Blocks Military Aid Package for Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has blocked a proposal to send more military aid to Ukraine. The plan was worth 3 billion euros, or $3.09 billion.
Germany is one of the biggest donors of military aid to Ukraine. The country’s leaders have been criticized for being too slow to help Ukraine. Last year, they refused to give Ukraine some types of missiles called Taurus.
The new proposal would have sent more guns and other equipment to Ukraine. It was put forward by Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and defense minister Boris Pistorius. They said that Ukraine needs this aid because the fighting there is getting worse.
However, Chancellor Scholz disagreed. He thinks that the 4 billion euros already allocated for next year will be enough. He also worries that if they send more money now, a new government might have to take on too much debt after elections in February.
Despite Scholz’s blockage, Germany is still sending some aid to Ukraine. The defense minister announced that almost 50 missiles for an air defense system called Iris-T will be sent directly from the factory to Ukraine.