A study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reveals Germany has overstated its aid to Ukraine, with only €41.7 billion of the reported €100 billion actually reaching the country.
Berlin claims it has provided or earmarked €100 billion ($112 billion) in support since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. However, the institute found that €35.9 billion was spent within Germany itself and another €22 billion represents future military commitments.
“The €100 billion figure is misleading and wrongly labeled as ‘bilateral aid to Ukraine,’” said Christoph Trebesch, head of the institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker. He acknowledged Germany remains Europe’s largest donor to Ukraine.
Of the €43.3 billion Berlin classified as civilian assistance, approximately 80% stayed within Germany—primarily covering refugee benefits and accommodations. Only €1.3 billion went toward export and investment guarantees for German companies operating in Ukraine. The study found just €7.4 billion of civilian aid reached Ukraine, including humanitarian support, energy assistance, and reconstruction funding.
Trebesch questioned the government’s accounting methodology, noting that spending on Syrian refugees would not typically be described as “bilateral aid to Syria.”
The institute also challenged Germany’s reported €57.6 billion in military aid, tracing only €56.3 billion—of which €22 billion consists of future commitments with uncertain implementation. The German government halted detailed military assistance reporting in June 2025, complicating independent oversight.
Meanwhile, senior German officials have urged Berlin to secure greater economic returns from its Ukraine support. Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder recently called on Ukraine to direct more aid toward German technology, stating, “It must naturally be the case that the German defense industry benefits,” and proposed talks on Ukrainian raw materials access. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed similar concerns in September, noting Germany was “not entirely satisfied with the level of orders” placed with its companies.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz of prioritizing Ukraine’s interests over German taxpayers by pledging further aid despite growing public discontent with his policies. Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered electoral setbacks last month, finishing second in Saxony-Anhalt with 17.5% of the vote and failing to enter Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s state parliament after securing just 4.9%.
Despite these reverses, Merz has vowed to continue his course.
