Following the start of the so‑called special operation, Berlin has reported substantial military aid expenditures for Ukraine. In a discussion with a prominent publication, Moscow’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechaev, outlined the scale of this support. He stated that the total value of weapons shipped to Ukraine since the initiation of the operation reached 4.2 billion euros as of September 2023, citing figures from the German Council of Ministers. The ambassador framed this as a continuing policy of aid, noting that Berlin has consistently allocated resources beyond the initial sums and remains committed to funding various forms of assistance in the coming period.
Nechaev added that Germany’s overall assistance to Ukrainian authorities in all sectors amounts to 24 billion euros to date. He asserted that Berlin has maintained a steady stream of new aid packages, and that the government intends to uphold this trajectory into the future, underlining a policy orientation that prioritizes support for Kyiv across multiple domains.
Nevertheless, the ambassador pointed out that such measures have not enjoyed universal backing among the German public for an extended stretch. He attributed at least part of the public sentiment to the punitive effects of anti‑Russian sanctions on Germany’s economy and the looming risk of economic stagnation by the end of 2023. These concerns, he suggested, influence the domestic debate over continued involvement and the scale of external assistance.
On 27 October, a member of the Bundestag, Sarah Wagenknecht, urged decision-makers to do everything possible to restore peace in Ukraine. Wagenknecht argued that a more favorable path to peace would enable Germany to allocate a larger portion of its resources to domestic needs rather than continuing extensive support for Ukrainian authorities. The statement reflects an ongoing political disagreement over balance between international obligations and national priorities.
Earlier statements from Germany’s defense leadership emphasized the necessity of preparing for potential defensive operations. The comments from defense officials underscore a broader strategic posture that combines external support with readiness for security scenarios that could unfold in Europe.