The Budget Committee of the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, has approved a substantial military aid package worth €11 billion ($11.9 billion) for Ukraine.

This aid includes an immediate allocation of €3 billion for the year 2025, with an additional €8.3 billion earmarked for the period from 2026 to 2029. The decision follows extensive deliberation and is aligned with a recent financing package that adjusts Germany's previous debt regulations concerning defense expenditures.

This new aid package is in addition to the already committed €4 billion in military assistance for Ukraine included in Germany’s 2025 budget.

The release of these additional funds faced delays due to political disagreements that ensued after the collapse of the coalition government led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that the aid will encompass various military equipment, including Iris-T air defense systems, guided missiles, surveillance radars, drones, combat vehicles, and light weapons.

However, a government spokesperson noted that the production of German-manufactured Iris-T systems is ongoing, with delivery timelines extending over the next two years.

Greens MP Britta Hasselmann expressed satisfaction with the approval, underscoring the aid's role as a vital signal for peace and security in Europe.

Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, Germany has positioned itself as the second-largest military aid supplier to Ukraine, contributing approximately €28 billion in assistance.

Recent international dynamics regarding military aid have shifted, particularly in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has instilled uncertainty regarding Western support for Ukraine.

With indications of decreasing U.S. aid, European countries, including Germany, are poised to enhance their support for Kyiv in this evolving context.

In a separate yet significant development, the German government has issued a confiscation order for the oil tanker Eventin and its cargo, which consists of approximately 100,000 metric tons of oil valued at around €40 million ($43.3 million).

The vessel, which was en route from Russia to Egypt, was detained by German authorities in January due to environmental concerns linked to its presence in the Baltic Sea.

Current investigations are underway while the German government formulates plans for the safe transfer of the oil and assesses the future of the vessel, which has been barred from continuing its journey.

Security analysts have noted that Russia is operating a substantial number of vessels, often referred to as a 'shadow fleet', aimed at circumventing sanctions imposed on its oil exports following the invasion of Ukraine.

Amid rising tensions between Moscow and the West, the German Foreign Office has refrained from providing extensive commentary, citing heightened security concerns.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that he has no information concerning the Eventin or its seizure.