Bundestag allocates €7.6 bln for Ukraine military aid
At a meeting on February 2, members of the Bundestag adopted the state budget for 2024 in the second and immediately in the third reading, Ukrinform reports.
The vote was cast in favor by 388 ruling coalition members, while 279 voted against.
This year, the German government may spend €476 billion. Net borrowings are to amount to €39.3 billion.
The document provides about €7.6 billion for military assistance to Ukraine.
While the lawmakers were voting, members of the Bundesrat (representing 16 federal states) were waiting to approve the state's main financial document. They are expected to approve the Bundestag's decision quickly.
The budget was supposed to be adopted earlier, but the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court of November 15, 2023, forced the ruling coalition to revise the document in view of the large financial "hole" created by the ban on using the money of the Economic Stabilization Fund.
The new draft budget was considered throughout this plenary week, for four days, for each ministry and agency separately, in heated debates.
During the 18th meeting of the Ramstein coalition, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced supplying Ukraine with weapons in 2024 such as air defense systems, tanks, and ammunition.
The new delivery will include six Sea King Mk41 multipurpose helicopters with spare parts starting in the second quarter of 2024 and pilot training by then.
On December 31, Germany handed over another batch of military aid to Ukraine, which included armored vehicles, ammunition, and missiles.
The Minister reminded that Germany provided another Patriot Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target system with 56 guided missiles.
