Germany’s defense minister asked for an increase of $7.3 billion. He was given only $1.2 billion. German aid to Ukraine is cut in half.
Germany Promised to Step Up Militarily
The New York Times reports the non-surprise of the day: Germany Promised to Step Up Militarily. Its Budget Says Differently.
Two-and-a-half years after Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to overhaul Germany’s military, his government’s proposed budget for 2025 calls for only a modest increase in defense spending.
With the war in Ukraine grinding on, Russia continuing to saber-rattle and Donald J. Trump gaining momentum for a return to the White House, Germany has been under increasing pressure from its allies to step into a more robust security role.
To live up to that pledge, Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defense minister, had asked for an increase of 6.7 billion, or $7.3 billion, over the 52 billion euros, or nearly $57 billion, in this year’s budget. He was given only 1.2 billion. The shortfall deepened concerns that Mr. Scholz’s unpopular government lacks the will or political backing to push Germans to overcome their historical reluctance to take the lead militarily since the calamity of World War II.
The budget, which has to pass Parliament before being adopted, also proposes that Germany cut its military aid to Ukraine by half in 2025.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly complained about the European allies not paying their fair share in the NATO alliance, and said that he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to countries that had not paid the money they owed.
Aid to Ukraine and NATO
Germany is the second largest contributor to Ukraine. That contribution will be cut in half.
Senator J.D. Vance, Trump’s Vice President running mate, is an open critic of aid to Ukraine.
Trump won’t care much about the cut to Ukraine other than to welcome it. But expect an immediate confrontation over Germany’s military spending and contribution to NATO.
