Germany and Ukraine: Bilateral relations

01.06.2021 - Article
Germany is tremendously interested in seeing Ukraine become more stable, democratic, and
prosperous, which is why the German government has supplied the country with so much assistance.
Germany has given Ukraine a total of more than 1.8 billion euros since 2014. Projects organized by political
foundations, alliances, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) support government efforts.
Germany is a major humanitarian aid donor on a bilateral basis for Ukraine. Demining, the disposal
of other explosive remnants, and other purposes have all benefited from this aid. The focus of cooperation
here is on good governance (democracy, civil society, public administration, decentralization), as well as
energy efficiency and long-term economic development. Municipalities that have taken in a considerable
number of internally displaced people are given assistance.
A statement of intent to establish a German-Ukrainian Energy Partnership was signed in August
2020, establishing a central platform for energy policy dialogue between the two nations. The Energy
Partnership brings together the German government's different initiatives in Ukraine, where it is financing a
variety of bilateral projects. Here, beacon projects include establishing an independent public broadcaster
and strengthening youth exchange.
A Ukraine Action Plan gathers key support initiatives sponsored by the German government. Its
execution involves several federal ministries and implementing organizations, as well as business and civic
society. The initiative will be coordinated by the Federal Foreign Office. The Action Plan includes both
short-term actions to alleviate immediate hardship and medium- and long-term projects and programs to
address Ukraine's structural issues.
Germany is a major economic and business partner for Ukraine. It is Ukraine's second largest
importer and a significant market for Ukrainian exports.

War in Ukraine: A View from Germany

April 29, 2022 | Publication

Germany's "role" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict: envisioning a future without energy from Russia
Germany has been in the spotlight for its significant dependence on Russian energy: it gets almost a third
of its energy from Russia. Therefore, Germany's energy decisions have not only big economic significance
but also political importance for Germany as well as the European Union.

Efforts to reduce German dependence on Russian energy

In 2021, almost a third of Germany's overall energy demand was covered by Russia: gas, oil and coal.
Given the war, Germany and the European Union are trying to reduce and ideally cut altogether the energy
supply they receive from Russia. The German government has responded by reducing the sales tax on car
fuel, a one-time reduction of 300 Euros for income taxes and financial aid for heating costs for low-income
households.

Germany's war experience has shaped pacifist attitudes and restrained patriotic fervor
The other major topic of discussion in Germany since the start of the war in Ukraine has to do with
rearming the country. Germany's experience of the vast loss of life and destruction of World Wars I and II
has been a key source of its pacifist culture and its history of demilitarization. Germany's general policy is
to only involve itself militarily for humanitarian reasons but not for political ones, sometimes to the
frustration of allies. Germany's history of Nazism has caused significant restraint in displaying patriotism or
national pride overtly. This changed only during the 2006 soccer World Cup, which Germany hosted. It was
a new sight to see German flags everywhere. Since then, nationalist sentiment has still been restrained
compared to other countries.