Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) are calling for significantly more money for military support for Ukraine in the coming year than previously planned. The two ministers demanded in a letter to Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) that the German Press Agency in Berlin that the 697 million euros planned for 2023 should be increased to 2.2 billion euros. In the current budget, spending funds of 2 billion euros are therefore estimated. The "Spiegel" also reports on the letter.

Lambrecht and Baerbock are also demanding that their cabinet mates increase the previously planned commitment authorization from EUR 100 million to EUR 1 billion. Such an authorization makes it possible to enter into legally binding commitments to make expenditures in future years.

The previous budget estimates would reduce "the room for maneuver to a politically no longer justifiable minimum," Lambrecht and Baerbock warn in the letter classified as "classified matter - only for official use" - the lowest level of secrecy. "The Federal Government's ability to act in terms of foreign and security policy and its international reputation in this conflict also depend on whether the authorization title is appropriately equipped," write the ministers.

A significant increase is needed for the federal government to keep its promises of continued massive support for Ukraine, the letter said. "The allies and partners expect that too." The example of the Ukraine shows how effectively and quickly the federal government can help with the upgrading initiative if necessary. "In this way, Germany can concretely and visibly assume the responsibility that our international partners expect of us, while at the same time protecting its own strategic interests."