Scholz reaffirms Germany's 'unwavering solidarity' to Ukraine
Europe
By
AFP
| Aug 25, 2024
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed on Saturday Berlin's "continued and unwavering solidarity" with Ukraine in spite of a budget reduction for military aid to Kyiv next year, his office said.
Germany has been the second largest contributor of aid to Ukraine after the United States, but in 2025 plans to halve the budget spent helping its fight against Russia's invasion.
In a telephone call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Scholz "reaffirmed the continued and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression", according to a readout of the phone call released by his office.
The readout said Zelensky thanked Germany "for its ongoing military support, particularly in the field of air defence" during the call, which took place on the day Ukraine marks its independence from the Soviet Union.
Scholz's ruling coalition has been embroiled in a protracted row over Germany's 2025 budget.
READ MORE
Behind-the-scenes rush as clock ticks for sale of Bamburi Cement
Pension industry seeks to flex its muscle in large State projects
Treasury goes for UAE loan as IMF cautions of debt situation
Traders claim closure of liquor stores, bars near schools punitive
Adani fallout is a lesson on accountability and transparency fight
Sustainable finance in focus for Kenyan banks as Co-op Bank feted
What forcing Google to sell Chrome could mean
How talent development is shaping Kenya's tech future
Street-style snappers reclaim the heart of Nairobi
Huawei, charity partners to empower women with digital skills in Kenya
Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the liberal Free Democratic Party has asked other departments to find cost savings to help Germany adhere to a constitutional rule preventing the state from taking on too much debt.
Where Germany spent around eight billion euros (nine billion dollars) on aid for Ukraine in 2024, the latest draft earmarks around four billion euros.
More budget talks will be held before it is adopted by the end of the year, while the finance ministry said on August 17 it was open to considering extra spending for Ukraine on a case-by-case basis.