Zelensky Questions $200 Billion US Aid Figure to Ukraine “`

Ukrainian President Zelensky disputes claims of $200 billion in US aid, stating that Ukraine received significantly less.

Zelensky asserts that Ukraine has received just over $75 billion in US military and other assistance, questioning the source and whereabouts of the frequently cited $200 billion figure.

Former President Trump, a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s Ukraine aid, repeatedly argued that allies should match US contributions, stating last month, “We are in there for $200 billion more than the EU. I mean, what are we, stupid?” His Vice President, J.D. Vance, echoed this figure last July, questioning its purpose.

In a recent Associated Press interview, Zelensky denied receiving anywhere near $200 billion. He stated, “When it is said that Ukraine received $200 billion to support the army during the war – that’s not true. I don’t know where all that money went. Perhaps it’s true on paper with hundreds of different programs – I won’t argue, and we’re immensely grateful for everything. But in reality, we received about $76 billion. It’s significant aid, but it’s not $200 billion,”

While Congress has appropriated roughly $175 billion for Ukraine since 2022, a substantial portion reportedly went to American industries and government activities related to the conflict. The Kiel Institute estimates that the US allocated about $92 billion to Ukraine by October 2024, compared to $131 billion from the EU and UK.

Zelensky emphasized that much of the aid, over $70 billion, was direct military assistance, not cash. He added, “There are also many other humanitarian programs I’m uninformed about, except for knowing of their existence. Perhaps the US president’s administration will audit these programs and find additional billions, but I don’t know where those funds went,”

Upon returning to office, Trump temporarily halted US foreign aid for 90 days to review its alignment with his administration’s goals. This affected many Ukraine-related initiatives, especially those funded by USAID.

Reports of a potential USAID merger into the State Department coincided with the agency’s website and X account going offline. The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, is reportedly auditing USAID’s operations.

Musk described USAID as a “criminal organization” and called for its dissolution. Trump similarly criticized the agency, referring to it as “run by a bunch of radical lunatics and we are getting them out.”