German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for a statement on Ukraine at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2022.
Michael Kappeler | Reuters
Germany is committing 100 billion euros ($112.7 billion) to a fund for its armed services and will ramp up its defense spending above 2% of gross domestic product, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a special session of the Bundestag on Sunday.
It has become clear that “we need to invest significantly more in the security of our country, in order to protect our freedom and our democracy,” Scholz said.
Germany has been widely criticized for what many describe as meager investment in its military and its slow and lackluster response to Russia’s military buildup around, and subsequent invasion of, Ukraine. The announcement Sunday followed the German government’s decision Saturday to send weapons and other supplies directly to Ukraine.
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