As of: February 15, 2024, 1:59 p.m
By: Helmi Krappitz
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Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter sees Germany as responsible if the USA no longer pays aid to Ukraine.
The debt brake should be lifted for this purpose.
Berlin - US aid to Ukraine has been in limbo for months - financial support from the most important donor for defense in the Ukraine war.
The frozen US payments do not only affect Ukraine, which is already running out of ammunition.
As Ukraine's largest donor in Europe, it also has an impact on Germany's role.
56 billion euros: US aid to Ukraine could fail in the House of Representatives
On Tuesday (February 13), the US Senate approved a billion-dollar aid package for the defense of Ukraine.
But support is not yet certain, as the draft goes to the House of Representatives with a narrow Republican majority.
The aid package of 56 billion euros can still fail.
If the payments are rejected, the chairman of the Bundestag European Committee, Anton Hofreiter (The Greens), sees Germany as responsible.
Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter is calling for the debt brake to be lifted – for aid to Ukraine.
© Screenshot ARD morning magazine
Ukraine aid for Europe's security: "If the USA fails, we will step in"
It is in Germany's interest to support Ukraine financially, he explained in the ARD morning magazine on Monday (February 12).
“You have to be clear that we are giving this military aid to Ukraine not only so that Ukraine can defend itself, but - this must be emphasized again and again - because Ukraine protects the security of the whole of Europe, of the whole of democratic Europe said Hofreiter.
It is in our own interest “if the USA fails that we step in.”
You have to put the aid payments in perspective.
“Ukraine needs relatively little from us at the moment.
She just needs 'weapons' and money.
The Ukrainian soldiers do the fighting,” Hofreiter continued.
“If NATO is attacked directly, then NATO soldiers will be involved.
That means Ukraine also ensures our security.”
“We need a 100 billion package: Hofreiter is calling for more money for the Bundeswehr and Ukraine
In order to ensure the security of Germany and Europe, more money is needed for armaments purposes.
“In the end, we need a new 100 billion package,” said the Green politician.
“We also need more money for the Bundeswehr.
With artillery, for example, we only have ammunition for several hours, several hours, not days.
That means we still have a huge problem.”
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In 2022, the federal government decided on a special fund worth 100 billion for the Bundeswehr - a debt pot with loan options for fighter jets, tanks and other major military projects.
However, the money flowed slowly.
After the budget freeze, the traffic light agreed on short-term financing for the Bundeswehr: “With the help of this special fund, we will have over 73 billion euros this year, total spending on armaments,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to the
Tagesschau
.
“This is the highest amount ever.
And it will have to continue to rise, everyone knows that.” According to Hofreiter, another special fund is necessary.
“Not the only cry in the desert”: Hofreiter calls for the debt brake to be lifted
The Green politician admits that he has positioned himself differently in the past.
“In 2014, when Russia first attacked Ukraine, I was still of the opinion that it was possible to negotiate with Putin.
“I was very fundamentally wrong,” said Hofreiter.
Now we have to recognize the nature of Putin's regime and act.
“I am not the only one shouting in the desert in the coalition,” but a clear majority is needed to mobilize the money.
We’re talking about “dozens and dozens of billions.
And you can’t prioritize that,” he said.
“And that’s why I’m of the opinion that in the end you can’t avoid lifting the debt brake.”
(hk)