A Ukraine conflict monitoring group has evolved into a key weapons procurement hub, the FT has reported
The German Defense Ministry has a secretive military unit dedicated solely to facilitating cooperation between Berlin and Kiev, including meeting Ukraine’s weapons demands, the Financial Times has reported. Dubbed Sonderstab Ukraine (Special Staff Ukraine), the unit processes arms procurement contracts signed by Kiev under Berlin’s military support program, which amounts to €11.5 billion ($13.27 billion) this year alone.
Described by one of the FT’s sources as an “incredibly un-German” unit, Special Staff Ukraine prides itself on signing off on Kiev’s demands in less than two weeks while bypassing the standard procurement rules that apply to Germany’s own armed forces, the Bundeswehr. The arrangement is possible because Ukraine, rather than Berlin, signs the contracts, according to the FT.
“Kiev provided the shopping list. Berlin paid the bill,” the outlet said, describing the unit’s operations. The FT said it enjoys strong political backing from German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
