Germany's Foreign Minister criticized Scholz's government for blocking new aid to Ukraine.
The German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indirectly criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his reluctance to approve an additional aid package for Ukraine amounting to 3 billion euros (approximately 3.1 billion dollars).
This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Politico.
During an interview, while discussing the German government's hesitance to approve this additional assistance for Ukraine, she did not directly mention Scholz's name.
Nevertheless, the official noted that for some politicians in Germany, securing a few votes was more important than ensuring peace and freedom in Europe.
"Honestly, it hurts me a lot," said the German Foreign Minister, expressing her views on the situation.
Additionally, Baerbock, who has been advocating for the approval of the 3 billion euro package for Ukraine, has repeatedly voiced her concerns regarding what she perceives as Berlin's "uncertain approach" to supporting Kyiv.
In her interview with Politico, the German Foreign Minister pointed out that Scholz's behavior has also damaged European allies' trust in Germany, as the government is losing their confidence.
"This trust must not be destroyed again by hesitations that may cause other countries to worry that Germany will not support them," Baerbock stated.
Intense Debates in Germany Over the "Freeze" of Aid to Ukraine
Earlier this week, Scholz sparked intense political debates in Germany by linking new aid to Ukraine to easing strict spending limits in his country.
At the same time, top representatives from various parties in Germany insisted on the approval of a 3 billion euro aid package for Ukraine ahead of the national elections in Germany on February 23.
However, Scholz promised to support the aid package only if it would be financed through new borrowing.
It is also noted that Germany, which is the second-largest country after the USA in terms of financial and military support to Ukraine, is currently facing a double-digit budget deficit amid economic stagnation.
The "Greens" party, represented by Baerbock, and Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) are now partners in a minority government following the collapse of the ruling coalition in November, but both political forces are also competing in the early elections scheduled for February 23.
Since right-wing parties, such as the Christian Democratic Union and the conservative Free Democratic Party, generally support increasing aid to Ukraine but oppose taking on new debts for financing assistance, the package for Ukraine is likely to be stalled due to a political deadlock, Politico reports.
Germany's Aid to Ukraine and the Question of a New Package
It is worth noting that Germany is one of the leading countries in providing support to Ukraine following the large-scale military aggression from the Russian Federation, including defensive assistance.
On January 12, German Foreign Minister Baerbock stated that last year the German government allocated nearly 7 billion euros in support of Ukraine. By the way, the previous federal budget of Germany for 2025 foresees military assistance to Ukraine of approximately 4 billion euros.
It was also reported that on January 7, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany would "shortly" transfer additional Iris-T missiles to Ukraine.
On January 10, media reports indicated that Germany is preparing new large military aid packages for Ukraine, which may be provided in the first half of 2025. These packages will include, among other things, air defense systems, tanks, and howitzers.
On the same day, the German weekly Der Spiegel reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz allegedly opposes allocating additional aid of 3 billion euros to Ukraine.
The publication noted that the heads of the Defense and Foreign Ministries of Germany, Boris Pistorius and Annalena Baerbock respectively, support providing such a package to Kyiv before the Bundestag elections.
By January 13, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assured that there is no blockage of the new aid package for Ukraine by Scholz. He added that the German Ministry of Defense has prepared a new aid package, and a political decision must now be made regarding its provision to Ukraine.
Later, Pistorius stated that the German government is still working on providing the 3 billion euro package for Ukraine. However, he added that the process is not completed due to fiscal issues.