Sanctions against Russia
Acting jointly within the EU and with international partners, Germany has adopted sanctions in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The measures aim in particular to severely weaken the Russian economy and the country’s political elite, and are already having an impact. In close coordination with its G7 partners, the EU has so far put 13 far-reaching sanctions packages into force (as at 24 February 2024).
You can find an overview of the adopted sanctions on the Federal Government’s website (in German).
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has compiled a list of FAQs on the sanctions against Russia (in German).
To ensure that sanctions are implemented as effectively as possible, the German government adopted two Sanctions Enforcement Acts in 2022. The first Sanctions Enforcement Act put key short-term measures in place, and the second Sanctions Enforcement Act introduced major structural improvements. More information on sanctions enforcement is available here.
Bilateral support for Ukraine
Across all government departments, Germany is providing wide-ranging bilateral assistance both to Ukraine and to Ukrainian people in Germany. A significant share of this assistance – €7.267 billion as at 30 September 2024 – comes from the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The Finance Ministry’s focus is on helping the Länder and local authorities financially and logistically in their efforts to provide accommodation and assistance for Ukrainian refugees. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the federal government has supported the Länder in this task with lump-sum contributions, while the Institute for Federal Real Estate has made federal properties available rent-free.
In addition, Germany is providing financial aid to safeguard the Ukrainian state’s capacity for action. This includes transfers to an account that is administered for Ukraine by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as a temporary debt service suspension. As part of its responsibility for Wiedergutmachung (Germany’s efforts to make amends for crimes committed by the Nazi regime), the Federal Ministry of Finance also supports Holocaust survivors in Ukraine via the Claims Conference.
The Federal Government’s website provides an overview of all the bilateral assistance measures that Germany has taken since the start of the war.
Multilateral financial assistance for Ukraine
In addition to bilateral measures, Germany also assists Ukraine within the framework of the EU, the G7 and international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund.
Since the war broke out, the G7 (including the EU) and international financial institutions have been working together to provide direct, short-term budgetary assistance to Ukraine in order to ensure that the country has the financial means to continue functioning effectively. Under Germany’s G7 presidency, over $30bn in international budgetary assistance for Ukraine was mobilised in 2022. G7 budgetary assistance for Ukraine was increased to $39bn in 2023. The EU’s Ukraine Facility will provide a further €50bn in financial assistance between 2024 and 2027.
Debt service suspension for Ukraine
As a member of the Group of Creditors of Ukraine, Germany welcomes the agreement in principle reached between Ukraine and its bondholders on the terms for restructuring Ukraine’s Eurobond debt and urges Eurobond holders to agree to the exchange offer as soon as possible.
Key information at a glance
Current information on the situation in Ukraine and on security
- germany4ukraine.de is the German government’s central online portal for refugees from Ukraine. This website offers important information from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to help Ukrainian refugees find their bearings in Germany.
- The German government also provides information on recent developments in the war (in German), security and defence measures (in German), and military support for Ukraine.
- The Federal Foreign Office website provides information about the current situation in Ukraine (in German).
Working in Germany
- The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has put together a comprehensive list of FAQs on working and social benefits in Germany.
- The Federal Employment Agency’s website offers information on advisory services and further assistance for refugees.
- The website Faire Integration has information for refugees who have already applied for asylum about their rights as workers in Germany. Here is an overview of advice centres. The advice services are free of charge and are also available in Ukrainian and Russian in some places.
How can I help?
- Many of us have a strong desire to support people in Ukraine and refugees from Ukraine. This overview by the Federal Government (in German) shows what you can do to help.
- If you would like to make a donation to help people in Ukraine and refugees from Ukraine, you can give money to Germany’s relief coalition Aktion Deutschland Hilft or the disaster relief alliance Aktionsbündnis Katastrophenhilfe, among other charities.
- Answers to common questions about tax measures to support people harmed by the war in Ukraine are available here (in German).
Countering disinformation
- The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community provides answers to key questions about disinformation in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.