Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has advocated for redefining Ukraine aid as an exception to the budgetary “debt brake” (Schuldenbremse) in the future. Wadephul told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” that he considers this a sensible idea. This proposal must now be discussed within the coalition and finalized in the autumn. Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan (SPD) had also pushed for such a measure, which would increase the financial flexibility available for humanitarian and development aid.
Wadephul expressed confidence that the significantly increased defense budget, implemented since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, would not remain constantly high. He stated, “We are in a special situation now because we have to correct previous shortcomings.” However, he clarified that it is clear the defense spending will eventually return to normal levels and that the necessary catch-up effort will come to an end.
