Berlin Increases Support Amid Russia’s Ongoing War

Germany has pledged more than $2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, as Kyiv signals it will need $120 billion in defence funding in 2026 to continue resisting Russia’s nearly four-year-long invasion.

At a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels on Wednesday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that Western allies must maintain support and deliver more weapons to Ukraine. The session was attended by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal.

“You can count on Germany. We will continue and expand our support for Ukraine. With new contracts, Germany will provide additional support amounting to over 2 billion euros [$2.3bn],” Pistorius stated.

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Details of Germany’s Military Aid

The new package will provide Ukraine with critical air defence systems, Patriot interceptors, radar systems, precision-guided artillery, rockets, and ammunition. Germany will also supply two additional IRIS-T air defence systems, including guided missiles and shoulder-fired air defence weapons.

The pledge comes as part of a broader effort by European allies and Canada to supply weapons through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a framework for buying US arms to meet Kyiv’s urgent military needs. Approximately $2 billion in weapons had already been allocated since August 2025.

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Ukraine’s Funding Needs for 2026

Ukraine has projected a $120 billion defence budget for 2026, with half to be covered domestically and the other half sought from international partners. Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal highlighted the pressing need for air defence systems, citing 5,600 strike drones and over 180 missiles launched by Russia last month alone against civilian infrastructure.

“Ukraine will cover half, $60 billion, from our national resources. We are asking partners to join us in covering the other half,” Shmyhal said.

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Decline in Military Aid

Despite ongoing support, recent data from Germany’s Kiel Institute shows that foreign military aid to Ukraine fell by 43% in July and August compared to the first half of 2025. The Brussels meeting sought to reinvigorate pledges as Ukraine faces sustained attacks from Russian forces.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored the importance of tangible support:

“All countries need to translate goals into guns, commitments into capabilities and pledges into power. Hard power is the only thing belligerents actually respect.”

The Trump administration has not provided military equipment but is reportedly considering Tomahawk long-range missiles, with costs and approval still under discussion.