Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s latest demand is likely to stall a €3 billion aid package to the war-ravaged country as Russian forces continue their advance.

(Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indirectly criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his reluctance to approve a further 3 billion euros ($3.09 billion) in additional military aid for Ukraine.

Annalena Baerbock criticizes Chancellor Scholz for hesitancy over additional Ukraine aid. The German government faces difficulties balancing military support while maintaining social spending, amidst political tensions and budget constraints.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday he opposes any increase in arms deliveries to Ukraine if they would require cuts elsewhere in the budget. "I'm against us taking this from pensions. I'm against us doing this through cuts to local governments.

The current caution over the aid package clashes with Scholz’s earlier strong support for arming Ukraine; Germany has given 16 percent of all aid to Kyiv, second only to the United States. The standoff over the €3 billion package meant Pistorius showed up in Kyiv earlier this week with very little to offer.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday that he does not expect the United States to halt military aid to Ukraine after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin,

German opposition lawmakers on Thursday accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of dirty campaign tactics over his demand for additional borrowing to finance an aid package for Ukraine worth €3 billion ($3.1 billion).

German military aid for Ukraine is stalling ahead of the Bundestag elections. A dispute within the government is preventing further funds from being released for weapons.For Germany's Green Party, the issue is clear: A further aid package for Ukraine could be passed before the parliamentary election on February 23- even though a budget for 2025 has not