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UKRAINE

Germany’s Bosch curbs Russia activities over military vehicle claims

The world's largest auto supplier Bosch said Friday it was halting deliveries of truck parts to Russian customers following Ukrainian claims that its components were found in Russian military vehicles.   

Germany's Bosch curbs Russia activities over military vehicle claims
A building belonging to Bosch. Photo: DPA

Der Spiegel weekly earlier reported that German authorities were probing possible export violations by Bosch, given that EU firms are barred from supplying Russia with “dual-use” goods that could be used for both civilian and military purposes.  

The export restrictions relate to sanctions imposed on Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea.    

“Due to indications that Bosch products — contrary to local contractual agreements — may have been used in non-civilian applications, we have stopped the delivery of truck components in Russia and to Russian customers,” Bosch said in a statement.    

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had on Sunday told a talk show on German broadcaster ARD that Ukrainian troops recently seized Russian infantry vehicles which contained components made by Bosch.    

Bosch said it took Kuleba’s allegation “very seriously” and had started a “comprehensive review” into the matter.    

The Stuttgart-based firm stressed however that it had not directly supplied any components to Russian military vehicle manufacturers.    

According to Spiegel, Germany’s economy ministry has asked local prosecutors to look into the claims.    

The ministry told AFP it did not comment on individual cases.    

But it added that as a rule, the ministry informed the relevant law enforcement agencies if it received information about possible sanctions violations.    

Russia has been hit with a barrage of Western sanctions since it invaded Ukraine last month, wreaking havoc on international supply chains and prompting many foreign firms to curb production in the country.    

Bosch said it had suspended work at several of its plants in Russia, which make automotive parts as well as consumer goods.

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UKRAINE

Germany plans extra €400 million military aid to Ukraine

Germany is planning almost €400 million in extra military aid for Ukraine this year despite a row over budgetary constraints, according to a finance ministry document seen by AFP Thursday.

Germany plans extra €400 million military aid to Ukraine

Berlin has been the second-largest contributor of military aid to Ukraine after Washington and had already earmarked around 7.5 billion euros for Kyiv in 2024.

However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been facing domestic pressure over the issue, with parties opposed to Berlin’s support for Kyiv making major gains at key regional elections in early September.

The additional funds are needed to “fulfil the German government’s support commitments to the Ukrainian armed forces”, the letter to the parliamentary budget committee said.

Advances by Russian forces in Ukraine have led to “heavy material losses” on the battlefield and there is a “serious risk… that Ukraine will succumb in its defence struggle without a significant increase in support”, it said.

The letter asks for the funds to be made available to provide drones and air defence equipment, among other things, “without delay” so that they can “have an impact on the battlefield in Ukraine during the remainder of 2024”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made a fresh appeal earlier this month for more weapons to counter the threat from advancing Russian forces in the east of the country and Moscow’s devastating missile strikes.

Berlin plans to cut back its budget for Ukraine aid next year to around €4.4 billion as it looks to make savings demanded by liberal Finance Minister Christian Lindner, according to draft budget documents.

However, the government has insisted it is “fully committed” to supporting Ukraine “for as long as necessary”.

READ ALSO: Opinion – Germany’s timid strategy risks both Ukraine’s defeat and more war in Europe

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