German Coalition Increases Military Assistance to Ukraine
Germany’s ruling parties have decided to boost military support for Ukraine by adding €3 billion in funding. After lengthy talks on the 2026 budget, lawmakers agreed to raise total assistance for Ukraine from €8.5 billion to €11.5 billion, marking Germany’s strongest backing since Russia’s major offensive began in 2022. Germany is Europe’s largest contributor of military aid to Ukraine, having provided around €40 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The extra funds will go toward artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and two Patriot air defense systems, according to reports from German media and the defense ministry. Germany is currently the second-largest supplier of military help to Ukraine, just behind the United States. As U.S. aid slows, European nations are stepping in, although Europe’s military contributions dropped sharply this summer, even with a new arrangement allowing NATO members in Europe to purchase weapons from American reserves.
The overall budget plan for Germany projects spending of about €524.5 billion in 2026, which is €4 billion higher than expected. The coalition’s budget committee has approved borrowing over €180 billion, thanks to recent changes in fiscal rules that exempt defense and Ukraine aid from strict debt limits in the German constitution. The Bundestag is scheduled to make a final decision on the 2026 budget during the session week of November 25-28.
As Russia’s attack continues, Ukraine is facing financial strain. Meanwhile, European military aid to Kyiv fell by 57% this summer compared to earlier in the year, based on data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. This drop coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s freeze on new aid for Ukraine.
Government support to Ukraine: Total bilateral allocations incl. EU aid, € billion
Allocations January 24, 2022 to August 31, 2025.
The European Commission wants to use money seized from Russia to back a €140 billion loan for Ukraine. However, the plan is currently held up by objections from Belgium. European leaders hope to resolve the issue and unlock the funds by December.