New German aid: 100 million euros to secure energy supplies in Ukraine
On Tuesday, the German government announced a new €100 million aid package for Ukraine to bolster its energy supply, which has been severely impacted by Russian attacks. As winter approaches, Ukrainian infrastructure continues to suffer targeted strikes from Russia, which is using cold as a strategic weapon in the conflict. This aid aims to mitigate the consequences of these bombings by ensuring access to energy and heat for the affected populations.
In a statement on the social network X (formerly Twitter), the German Foreign Ministry clarified that Russia is "deliberately attacking Ukraine's energy and heat supplies," justifying the additional financial support. The announcement comes after Ukrainian Prime Minister Dionysius Shmyhal stressed the urgent need to obtain new large-capacity generators to cope with energy shortages.
For more than two and a half years, Ukraine’s infrastructure has been suffering severe damage. Last June, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that nearly 50 percent of the country’s energy capacity had been destroyed by Russian strikes. These attacks not only caused power outages, but also left many Ukrainians without heat and drinking water, making the situation even more critical as winter approaches.
Germany's Commitment in the Face of Declining Military Aid
Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Germany has provided Ukraine with a total of around €35 billion in aid, including humanitarian support, direct payments and arms deliveries. In 2024, Germany became the largest European contributor to military aid, with an envelope of €8 billion. However, in 2025, Berlin plans to halve this aid to €4 billion, due to internal budgetary constraints, including compliance with its “debt brake”.
Despite this planned reduction in military aid, Germany continues to coordinate its efforts with its allies. Recently, the United States also announced $717 million in aid to support Ukrainian energy infrastructure, as well as mine-clearing projects and the provision of clean water. In parallel, discussions are underway to use frozen Russian assets around the world, including in the context of a €50 billion loan to Ukraine, a project that could see the light of day in 2025.
Crucial aid for Ukraine and Moldova
At a conference in the Moldovan capital Chisinau, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also stressed that this aid to Ukraine constitutes a broader support for European democracy, particularly for Moldova, Ukraine's neighbour and also threatened by Russian ambitions. Baerbock highlighted the fear of Moldovan citizens that their country would be Moscow's next target if Ukraine were to fall, thus recalling the strategic importance of this aid. By strengthening its support for Ukraine, Germany intends not only to protect the country's vital infrastructure, but also to stabilise Eastern Europe in the face of Russian aggression.
