Ukraine war takes German arms exports to record high in 2024

The German government approved exports of war weapons and military equipment worth €13.33 billion ($13.88 billion) of which €8.15 billion went to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia since 2022, the Economic Ministry said in response to an inquiry by Sevim Dagdelen, lawmaker of the left-populist BSW party.

Germany is Ukraine's second-largest arms supplier after the US.

Besides Ukraine, Singapore received arms worth €1.21 billion, Algeria €558.7 million and the US €319.9 million.

Germany also gave green light to weapon exports to Israel worth more than €160 million over the course of the year, despite growing international criticism of what human rights groups label genocidal actions in the Gaza Strip.

Germany has long been a key ally of Israel, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz often emphasizing a special responsibility for Israel’s security because of the country’s Nazi past.

Critics argue that Germany’s unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is damaging its international credibility and further isolating Berlin on the global stage.

Israel has killed more than 47,000 people, most of them women and children, in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. A three-phase ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19.