Ukrainian leader asserts Kyiv received just over $75B in US support, questioning Trump’s higher figure
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Where Did the Extra Billions Go? Zelensky Questions Trump’s Ukraine Aid Math |
Trump has continually mocked Joe Biden's strategy in assisting Ukraine. Trump stated that EU nations and NATO allies have to provide as much assistance as America is providing. Trump made a joke in February that America was providing $200 billion more than the EU, saying, "What are we, stupid?" The figure of $200 billion was previously stated by Vice President J.D. Vance, who stated, "We have now spent $200 billion. What is the goal? What are we trying to do?"
Speaking in an interview last week with the Associated Press, Zelensky said that Ukraine never received even half of what was on paper. "When others tell you that Ukraine received $200 billion to combat its army during the war—that's not true," he said. "On paper, with numerous programs, it may appear this way, but in fact, we received around $76 billion."
The US Congress has authorized some $175 billion for Ukraine since 2022. But much of that appears to have found its way to American businesses and other US government programs aimed at the war. The Kiel Institute in Germany said that up to October 2024, the United States had pledged some $92 billion in economic and military assistance to Ukraine, while EU nations and the UK accounted for about $131 billion.
Zelensky also continued that he has not seen much direct cash, even though more than $70 billion has been given as military aid. "There are some humanitarian programs I know exist, but I don't know everything. Perhaps the current US administration will check these and find additional billions, but I don't know where this money was," he said.
Soon after his return to the White House, Trump put US foreign aid on hold for 90 days to assess if it aligned with his "America first" policy. The action impacted directly on programs involving Kiev, including grants from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
USAID's website was down over the weekend, and its X social media account was nowhere to be seen. This followed reports that the White House was considering folding the agency into the State Department. Meanwhile, the new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk purportedly sent inspectors to audit USAID's operations.
Musk was blunt, referring to USAID as a "criminal organization" that needed to be dismantled. Trump also criticized the agency, referring to it as "run by a bunch of radical lunatics" and stated he would eliminate them.