Scholz announced winter aid to Ukraine

German business can make a significant profit from current investments in the Ukrainian economy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is convinced.

The government of Germany allocates 70 million euros for small thermal power plants, boilers, generators and solar power plants and other systems for Ukraine so that the country could more confidently pass the winter in the conditions of Russian attacks on the energy sector. Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz said this on Wednesday, December 11, during his speech at the opening of the German-Ukrainian economic forum in Berlin, Deutsche Welle reports.

He also noted that Germany will continue to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense system.

"By the end of the year, the sixth IRIS-T SLM system, additional launchers for the Patriot and an additional Gepard will be delivered. And this will continue next year," the German chancellor assured.

Olaf Scholz also addressed European business during his speech and emphasized that investments in the Ukrainian economy are profitable.

"If you invest in Ukraine today and in the coming years, you are investing in a future member of the EU," Scholz said.

The Chancellor noted that when the war in Ukraine ends, all of Europe will see what prospects for economic growth and opportunities for development there are in Ukraine. According to him, similar situations "previously occurred only in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that joined the EU in the last two decades", and in these success stories the German economy played a big role.

"About 2000 German companies operate in Ukraine. Many of them are planning additional investments. You are helping to rebuild the country," Scholz emphasized.

He added that Ukraine already culturally and politically belongs to Europe, and after passing the necessary procedures, it will definitely become a member state of the EU, "with all the rights and obligations arising from this."

The total aid to Ukraine from Germany amounts to 37 billion euros during the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, which is the largest among all European states.