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US Aid To Ukraine: The Hard Truth – OpEd

President Donald Trump claims Ukraine has received $200 billion from the US. “We are in there for $200 billion more than the EU. I mean, what are we, stupid?” Trump said last month. US Vice President Vance referenced the figure as early as last July, saying, “We have now spent $200 billion. What is the goal? What are we trying to accomplish?” Ukrainian President Zelensky; “So, when people talk about $177 billion or even $200 billion, we’ve never received that– that’s not true. I don’t know where all that money went. Perhaps it’s true on paper with hundreds of different programmes – I won’t argue, and we’re immensely grateful for everything. But in reality, we received about $76 billion. It’s a significant aid, but it’s not $200 billion." Zelensky has reportedly said he doesn't know where most of the $200 billion in American aid went, despite the US providing Ukraine with over $75 billion. His statement was reportedly in response to President Trump’s claim and refuting claims made, stating that the US has not sent $200 billion in aid to Ukraine. Zelensky clarified that the actual amount of US aid received by Ukraine is around $75 billion, with the majority being military assistance. In an interview with AP published on Sunday, Zelensky insisted that Ukraine never received even half of that sum. In November 2024, Zelenskyy had stated that Ukraine has not received even half of the weapons officially allocated by the US and that Europe has helped Ukraine just as much as the US. The Hard Truth The Truth, the former American US Secretary of State Antony Blinken - ‘War for Profit’ while speaking in a joint Press Conference with Britain Foreign Secretary: “If you look at the investments that we made in Ukraine’s defense to deal with this aggression, 90 percent of the security assistance we provided has actually been spent here in the US with our Military-Industrial Complex manufacturers for production, and that’s produced more American jobs, more growth in our own economy”. The Ukrainian Media has also claimed only a third of aid reaches Ukraine. Blinken calls “US war aid to Ukraine a ‘Win-Win’ that we need to continue.” Perhaps in a last and the latest show of desperation, Victoria Nuland, former US Under Secretary of State debuted another argument for keeping the war money flowing for Ukraine. She said, “We have to remember that the bulk of this money is going right back into this economy to make those weapons…” (In a recent CNN interview)Former NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg “Weapons Are – In Fact – The Way to Peace.” Since 2022, the US Congress has authorized roughly $175 billion for Ukraine, but a significant portion of that funding has reportedly gone to American industries and various US government activities related to the conflict. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, as of October 2024, the US had allocated approximately $92 billion in financial and military aid to Ukraine, while EU countries and the UK had allocated $131 billion. It’s important to note that of the $175 billion total, only $106 billion directly aids the government of Ukraine. Most of the remainder is funding various US activities associated with the war in Ukraine, and a small portion supports other affected countries in the region. (https://www.cfr.org/article/how-much-us-aid-going-ukraine) Military-Industrial Complexes Record Earnings : Five of the top US and European defense contractors have been making exuberant profits since the war started three years back. Rheinmetall, Europe’s BAE Systems, Thales, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The Swedish company SAAB has invested billions to build up production capacity. It has expanded its workforce by 3,600 people since the start of 2022 and was expected to grow by another 2,000 last year. The war in Gaza further increased the demand for defense stocks. The great power competition is largely the driver of defence spending and is going to remain on the rise as countries will not let their guard down again. Trump’s Quid Pro Quo Ukraine. President Trump says, “I want to have security of rare earth.” Trump wants to negotiate an agreement with Ukraine in which Ukraine guarantees supplies of rare earth metals, key elements used in electronics, in exchange for aid. Ukrainian President had floated such an idea last October as part of his “Victory Plan” for ending the war with Russia. “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things.” Trump wants “Equalisation” from Ukraine “close to $300bn” in support. What about ending the Russia-Ukraine War in 24 hours? German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticised Trump’s demand for quid pro quo, saying “it would be very Selfish, very Self-Centered”. Such resources would be better used for the country’s reconstruction after the war, Scholz said after meeting with fellow EU leaders in Brussels. Going by ‘The Hard Truth Facts’ as stated by the former diplomats of the Biden Administration it appears what Ukrainian President Zelensky refuting claims made by President Trump of the $200 billion in American aid to Ukraine holds ground. Corruption also needs to be factored. During a recent off-the-record think tank discussion on Ukraine, a respected journalist raised the issue of the damaging effects that Ukraine’s ongoing corruption issues have had on the country as it resists Russia’s invasion. Indeed, corruption in Ukraine’s economy, and more recently within its military structures, is a problem that needs to be addressed forcefully and forthrightly by Ukraine’s leaders. Now a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction programme has provided more opportunities.