Reference News Network November 6 report - According to the German website "Handelsblatt," government sources said that German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have reached an agreement to add an additional 3 billion euros in aid for Ukraine in the 2026 budget.

This funding will be used to purchase artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and to replace two "Patriot" systems. Previously, Germany had already allocated 8.5 billion euros in aid for Ukraine in the 2026 budget.

According to statistics, by the end of 2025, the cost of military operations in Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict will exceed 300 billion euros (including the country's own defense budget, foreign weapons, and financial assistance). Just this year alone, it will require about 100 billion euros, equivalent to half of Ukraine's GDP.

According to recent calculations by the British magazine "The Economist," Ukraine will need an additional 340 billion euros over the next four years to purchase weapons and cover its expanding budget deficit.

US President Trump has essentially stopped monthly financial aid. Two weeks ago, EU leaders also failed to reach an agreement on providing loans to Ukraine.

EU member states are under pressure due to high deficits and have had to cut the amount of aid allocated for Ukraine in their budgets. Despite facing an unprecedented budget shortfall, the German government has decided to increase its aid to Ukraine.

Since Germany revised its Basic Law this spring, defense spending has been largely exempt from the "debt brake," and aid to Ukraine is included in this exemption.

Germany's increased aid to Ukraine may also serve as compensation for the failure to deliver the "Taurus" missiles. Although German Chancellor Scholz promised during his campaign that he would deliver the Taurus missiles to Ukraine if elected, he has not fulfilled this promise to date. (Translated by Zhong Sirui)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569470241793769994/

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