Germany’s role as a major military supporter of Ukraine continues to strengthen. Indeed, the German government has just announced the doubling of its military aid to Kiev for the year 2024. With a budget envelope increasing from 4 to 8 billion euros, Germany is thus demonstrating its commitment to Ukraine. , despite a difficult economic context.
This German support is of particular importance in the context of the protracted war between Ukraine and Russia. While the international community’s attention is often focused on other conflicts, Ukrainians fear seeing their struggle fade into oblivion. Increased aid from Germany, Ukraine’s leading European supporter, is a strong signal that the country will not be abandoned in this difficult situation.
This German military support was not always so important. At the start of the Russian invasion, the German proposal to send 5,000 helmets to Ukraine had attracted criticism, due both to Germany’s historical reluctance to supply weapons to a country at war and to its economic dependence on towards Russia, which supplied 50% of its gas. This reluctance was also fueled by political issues and concerns surrounding arms exports.
However, over time, Germany moved from being the weakest link to becoming Ukraine’s primary European supporter. According to data from the Kiel Institute, since January 2022, Germany has already committed more than 17.1 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine, an amount that far exceeds the investment of other European countries such as the United Kingdom and France. This significant increase in aid is explained in particular by the delivery of German Leopard 2 tanks and Gepard anti-aircraft defense systems.
Germany’s objective is clear: to become the backbone of European defense. Growing military investments reflect this desire to play an active role in the security and stability of the European continent. Despite political and economic pressures, Germany is counting on the support of public opinion to maintain this doctrine in the long term.
In conclusion, Germany is strengthening its role as the primary European military supporter of Ukraine by doubling its aid for the year 2024. This increase in German commitment demonstrates their desire not to abandon Ukraine in its fight against Russia. With increasing military investments, Germany aspires to become the backbone of European defense, despite the political and economic challenges it faces.