German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for increased EU military aid to Ukraine

By Defence Industry Europe

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made a critical appeal to the European Union, urging member states to significantly enhance their military assistance to Ukraine. In a pointed statement, Scholz highlighted the inadequacy of the current weapon deliveries by most EU countries in light of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

 

This appeal gains particular relevance as delays are being experienced in American military aid to Ukraine due to procedural hold-ups in the US Congress. Last year, Germany had pledged to double its military aid to Ukraine in 2024, amounting to a total of EUR 8 billion. Despite this substantial commitment, Scholz underscored the collective effort required for Ukraine’s long-term security.

In his statement, reported by Reuters, Scholz remarked, “As significant as the German contribution is, it will not be enough to ensure Ukraine’s security in the long run. Therefore I call on allies in the European Union to strengthen their efforts regarding Ukraine. The planned weapons deliveries to Ukraine of most EU member states are not enough.”

 

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Furthermore, Scholz has called for a thorough verification of the planned deliveries by individual EU member states, as there may be discrepancies in the reported figures. He expressed optimism that the EU would endorse a proposed 50 billion-euro aid package for Ukraine at an emergency summit scheduled for February 1. This proposal had previously faced challenges in reaching consensus at a December EU summit, with Hungary primarily opposing the deal.

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