At an international conference on Ukraine, Federal Chancellor pledged additional comprehensive support for Ukraine. The conference had been arranged at short notice in Warsaw (Poland), with representatives from a number of countries, the European Union and the United Nations taking part. A total of over six billion euros was raised.  

Unity grows with each atrocity

“With each day that passes since Russia invaded Ukraine, with each atrocity committed by Russian soldiers, our determination and our unity grow stronger,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz. “We are absolutely as one on this: Putin cannot be allowed to win this war. And he will not win it.” 

The conference came about at the behest of Poland and Sweden. The aim was to raise money for humanitarian aid in Ukraine following the Russian invasion and to support Ukraine's ability to defend itself. One of the partners of the conference is the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: “The brutality of Russia's  aggression is shocking the world,” said von der Leyen in Warsaw. To the people of Ukraine, she said: “You have us on your side. ” The United Nations also took part.

Germany has been second-largest donor for many years

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link to appeal to the participants, calling for a modern version of the Marshall Plan so his country could rebuild. In order to return to living in safety, Zelensky said his country would need money, technology, experts and prospects for economic growth. “It will be an investment in the stability of the whole of central and eastern Europe,” he said.

In addition to the 125 million euros, the Federal Chancellor approved a second special loan worth 150 million euros on Thursday. This would provide urgently needed liquidity for the country’s budget, Scholz said. In the context of bilateral development work he also said he intended to make available a further 140 million euros of development funding.

For many years Germany has been the second largest donor of financial support for Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion the Federal Government has further increased this aid. At the beginning of April, Federal Chancellor Scholz pledged 425 million euros for humanitarian aid and development work, along with 70 million euros for medical supplies through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition to this, Germany has made available a further 430 million euros to mitigate the catastrophic impact of Russia's war on global food security.