BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday that he does not expect the United States to halt military aid to Ukraine after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s latest demand is likely to stall a €3 billion aid package to the war-ravaged country as Russian forces continue their advance.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indirectly criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his reluctance to approve a further 3 billion euros ($3.09 billion) in additional military aid for Ukraine.

The current caution over the aid package clashes with Scholz’s earlier strong support for arming Ukraine; Germany has given 16 percent of all aid to Kyiv, second only to the United States. The standoff over the €3 billion package meant Pistorius showed up in Kyiv earlier this week with very little to offer.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands firm: aid for Ukraine should be financed by suspending the debt brake. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has accused Scholz of using this issue for political gain during the election campaign,

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not expect the United States to cut aid to Ukraine after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, reports The Guardian. At a press conference in Berlin, Scholz said he had spoken with Trump twice after the US election and added that the parties were engaged in an “intense” diplomatic dialogue.