Berlin, 19 May 2024 (dpa/MIA) - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius plans to significantly increase military aid for Ukraine this year, Sunday's edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper reported.

Pistorius' ministry has announced an additional requirement of €3.8 billion ($4.13 billion) for military support for Ukraine, Bild reported. A spokesman for the Defence Ministry did not wish to confirm the report on Sunday when asked by dpa.

According to the report, so far this year, the ministry has allocated €7.1 billion for military aid to Ukraine. However, the sum has been almost completely earmarked, with only €300 million still outstanding for new ammunition and weapons purchases, the newspaper reported, citing government sources.

The over-budgeted expenditure is to be submitted to parliament for authorization before the end of June, including provisions for funding to match.

The Finance Ministry, led by Free Democrat (FDP) politician Christian Lindner, has signalled general approval for the increase in aid, government sources confirmed to dpa.

Germany is using the military aid budget item to pay for war goods that Ukraine purchases directly from industry, the Bild report said. It also finances reorders of weapons that the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, have handed over to the Ukrainian army.

MIA file photo