Russia’s war against Ukraine affects us all, as it has consequences for each and every one of us. The outcome will shape security in Europe for a long time to come. It is our firm belief that military force in Europe must not lead to any changes in borders. 

For this reason, we are doing everything in our power to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. We are doing this in our own interests and in the interests of a stable political order in Europe. “That is why we will not waver in our commitment”, emphasised Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 3 November during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Berlin. 

Support as winter approaches

Germany remains the biggest supporter of Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia in breach of international law. With winter approaching, the Federal Government is continuing its support, particularly in the areas of air defence and energy. Even now, in the fifth year of the war, Russia shows no sign of letting up in its attacks on civilian infrastructure. Recently, there has also been a significant increase in the number of attacks by the Russian military resulting in civilian casualties. 

Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression on 24 February 2022, the Federal Government has provided bilateral civilian aid to Ukraine totalling more than 45.7 billion euros and has provided, or earmarked for the coming years, military aid amounting to around 57.8 billion euros.  

Support for Ukraine: An overview PDF, 551 KB, not barrier-free of key areas of support provided by the Federal Government can be found in this download (in German only).

Energy supply and infrastructure

Through the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW), the Federal Government finances the repair and maintenance of electricity and heating systems, makes replacement parts available, and supports the reconstruction of power plants that have been destroyed.  Emergency relief measures are being optimised and accelerated by a task force set up by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). At the same time, air defence is being strengthened through the procurement and provision of air defence systems to protect the energy infrastructure from further attacks. 

The Federal Foreign Office (AA) is also involved in the physical protection of nuclear power plants and supports the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the deployment of experts. The Federal Ministry for the Environment also plans to support the repair of the New Safe Confinement, which was severely damaged in early 2025, covering the sarcophagus of the Chernobyl nuclear power station, which suffered an accident in 1986.

To make the energy sector more resilient, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is contributing to the RAMP-UP Guarantee Fund set up by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This scheme is intended to stimulate investment in the renewable energy sector.

Humanitarian aid

Germany supports Ukraine in close cooperation with international organisations and non-governmental organisations. This includes medical care, food, clean water and other emergency aid, particularly for people in regions close to the front line. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is strengthening emergency management, for example, by setting up local rescue centres. Millions of internally displaced persons and returning refugees likewise need support.

Unexploded ordnance devices and land mines, which are scattered over a wide area, also pose a particular danger to the civilian population. In addition to clearance and mapping, the Federal Foreign Office (AA) also runs information campaigns for the civilian population to teach them how to cope with the daily threat.

Military support

Germany is also Ukraine’s biggest supporter in the military sphere:  aid includes equipment and weapons deliveries from Federal Armed Forces stocks as well as deliveries from industry, which are financed by the Federal Government’s defence equipment aid.  The systems supplied include air defence, artillery and combat vehicles, armoured transport vehicles, small arms, ammunition, medical supplies and protective clothing.   Furthermore, almost 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in Germany since the start of the war.

Help for refugees

Since the outbreak of full-scale war, more than a million Ukrainian refugees, mainly women and children, have found refuge in Germany. Where necessary, Ukrainian refugees receive state support, access to vocational language courses, further training and integration programmes, as well as assistance from job centres in finding work. Refugees have immediate access to the labour market.  

The support portal Germany4Ukraine enables online applications for residence permits, courses and applications for financial support. 

According to an analysis by the Institute for Employment Research, half of all Ukrainians were in work at the end of 2025. 

Economic and financial support

The Federal Government is providing grants worth billions, via an account managed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in order to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to govern and endurance. 

To safeguard Ukraine’s economic stability, Germany is providing support in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises and to the training of skilled workers. Through the “UkraineConnect” financing instrument, attractive loans are provided for investments by companies from Germany and Europe. Ukrainian companies can take advantage of low-interest loans. In addition, Ukrainian executives are supported through the programme “Partnering in Business with Germany”.

The long-term competitiveness of Ukrainian industry is also being promoted through the Ukrainian “National Development Institution” (NDI, formerly the “Business Development Fund”). The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has supported the institution’s further development in recent years – with the aim of establishing it as an efficient development bank modelled on the KfW.

As part of its responsibility to provide redress for injustices committed by the Nazis, the Federal Government also supports Holocaust survivors in Ukraine through the Jewish Claims Conference. 

Reconstruction 

National and international coordination is required for the reconstruction of Ukraine. To achieve this, short-term and long-term support must mesh. In Germany, the “Rebuild Ukraine” platform brings together everyone who wants to support Ukraine. At the international level, Germany is working through the Ukraine Donor Platform to promote a coordinated approach to supporting Ukraine. In addition, the BMZ, together with European partners, has launched the “European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine”, which is intended to generate private funding for reconstruction in order to finance large-scale reconstruction projects. 

Reforms

Through its contributions to the Council of Europe’s “Action Plan for Ukraine”, the Federal Foreign Office is helping to promote the rule of law and decentralisation. The aim is, in particular, to strengthen independent anti-corruption institutions and to promote measures to combat (financial) crime in Ukraine. Ukraine is also the beneficiary of a BMWE-funded programme for high-level government advisory services. 

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the Federal Foreign Office (AA) provide support to partner agencies from their budgetary resources in the form of training assistance in the areas of personal security, combating cybercrime and counter-terrorism. The AA also supports the further development of the Ukrainian judicial system. Against this backdrop, the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJV) has also expanded its support for the rule of law in Ukraine, with the fight against corruption remaining a key focus here too. The AA and the BMZ are also supporting Ukraine’s EU accession process. 

Health

Medical care is being supported both in Ukraine and for refugees in Germany. Bilateral healthcare projects in Ukraine are being promoted in a targeted fashion. This involves, for example, measures in the areas of telemedicine, prosthetics and rehabilitation services, as well as the strengthening of so-called Emergency Medical Teams (EMT). The evacuation of sick and injured people for medical treatment in Germany is also being supported.
There are more and more war wounded and people suffering from trauma who are in need of help, which is why the BMZ also supports psychosocial rehabilitation programmes.

Education & research

In the area of vocational orientation, BerufeNavi, together with the KAUSA regional offices and the BOFplus programme, supports people entering into training and work.   

In the areas of research and innovation, the Federal Government’s aim is to further expand cooperation, strengthen local scientific potential, support reforms in the science and innovation system, and integrate Ukraine more closely into the European Research Area. Since July 2025, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has been supporting the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in establishing a German Ukrainian higher education network.

Culture and media landscape 

Culture and independent media are central pillars of a democratic society. The Federal Government has set up special programmes to protect cultural workers, academics and students and is ensuring the security of cultural assets, museums, archives and libraries. With the Hannah Arendt Initiative, Germany is also supporting Ukrainian media professionals so that they can continue to report – including from areas affected by fighting.

Germany is planning a bilateral season of culture with Ukraine for 2027/2028.