Germany's Defense Budget Cuts: Impact on Ukraine Military Aid

Germany plans to halve its military aid for Ukraine in 2025, reducing the budget from 8 billion euros in 2024 to 4 billion euros. The move coincides with efforts to align with NATO spending targets despite challenges posed by internal financial constraints and potential shifts in U.S. support under a possible Trump presidency.

Germany will significantly reduce its military aid to Ukraine next year, slashing the budget to 4 billion euros ($4.35 billion) in 2025 from around 8 billion euros in 2024, a draft of the 2025 budget reveals.

The reduction comes as Germany faces criticism for missing NATO's 2% GDP defense spending target amid depleted military stocks and internal fiscal limits. The country relies on a $50 billion loan package from frozen Russian assets, agreed by the G7, to help Ukraine meet its military needs.

Concerns have grown regarding future U.S. support for Ukraine, especially if Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has shown reluctance to protect Europe without increased allied spending, returns to the White House.

(With inputs from agencies.)