Germany has been blocking a €9 billion aid package for more than a month, which should become the main form of support for Ukraine from the European Union. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera writes about this, citing sources in Kiev and Brussels.
According to the publication, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke out against the European Commission using the pan-European debt to help Ukraine, as it was during the pandemic. So far, Lindner has approved only one billion tranche, which should be sent to Ukraine in July.
Meanwhile, Ukraine says it needs $5 billion a month in aid. According to Corriere della Sera, Ukraine may default on $900 in external debt in September.
The publication also indicates that the impasse could be one of the reasons why President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Andriy Melnyk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany, from his post.
In mid-June, Der Spiegel wrote that Germany did not allow Spain to transfer German Leopard 2 A4 tanks to Ukraine. According to international rules, Spain had to pre-coordinate the transfer with the tank-producing country, but did not do this. In addition, according to Der Spiegel, Germany warned Spain that this move would be a retreat from the decision taken by all Western allies not to supply Ukraine with tanks.