In reality this grant is intended to protect Ukraine’s energy system in winter.
Users on social networks, as well as some Russian and Belarusian media outlets, are spreading identical messages claiming that Germany allegedly had to allocate an additional 40 million euros to Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure, because «the previous 100 million were stolen».
Germany announced the allocation of 40 million euros to support Ukraine’s energy system, but this is in no way connected with the investigation by the NABU and SAPO (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office – ed.). The funds are intended to support Ukraine’s energy system, in particular, to purchase and install equipment, restore and protect critical energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks. No official statement from the BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) or other German officials has mentioned that these funds are in any way connected to the investigation of corruption schemes in Ukraine’s energy sector.
«We are helping to ensure that apartments remain warm and lit, and that Russia does not succeed in breaking the fighting spirit of its country’s defenders with its targeted terrorist attacks on gas and heating systems», said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, explaining the purpose of the assistance.
There have been no official statements or investigations by German or international law enforcement agencies confirming any embezzlement of previous aid tranches that would have prompted the new tranche.
The allocation of funds coincided with an increase in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, especially in the run-up to the heating season.
Previously, StopFake refuted the manipulation that Germany would allegedly no longer provide military assistance to Ukraine.
