German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under fire from lawmakers from across the political spectrum — including his own foreign minister — for refusing to approve a further €3 billion in military aid for Ukraine unless it is funded with additional borrowing.

Speaking on national television earlier this week, Germany’s beleaguered leader said he would only agree to the military aid package if new debt was issued to finance it, rather than cuts to social spending.

The additional cash, which would supplement €4 billion of aid for Kyiv already committed for 2025 in a provisional budget, would mainly fund weapons for Ukraine’s air defence.

Opposition politicians and even Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have criticised Scholz’s stance — either directly or indirectly — and accused him of electioneering.