Zelensky Unable to Account for Over $100 Billion in Reported US Aid
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has asserted that Kiev has received significantly less US aid than the figure mentioned by President Donald Trump. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has stated that Kiev has received significantly less support than the figures mentioned by US President Donald Trump and other officials. Zelensky claimed that the US has provided Ukraine with just over $75 billion in military and other forms of aid, expressing uncertainty about the source of Trump’s assertion of $200 billion.
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of former President Joe Biden's approach to aid for Ukraine, insisting that NATO members and the EU should match the contributions of the US. “We are in there for $200 billion more than the EU. I mean, what are we, stupid?” Trump remarked last month. US Vice President J.D. Vance also referred to the $200 billion figure last July, questioning, “We have now spent $200 billion. What is the goal? What are we trying to accomplish?”
In a recent interview with AP, Zelensky firmly stated that Ukraine has not received anything close to that amount. “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,” he asserted.
Since 2022, the US Congress has authorized approximately $175 billion for Ukraine, although a notable portion of that funding has reportedly been allocated to American industries and related government activities concerning the conflict. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, by October 2024, the US had provided around $92 billion in financial and military assistance to Ukraine, while EU nations and the UK together contributed about $131 billion.
Zelensky also pointed out that he has not seen much actual cash, with more than $70 billion of the aid being direct military assistance. “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,” he stated.
Among the first steps Trump took upon returning to office was the suspension of foreign aid for 90 days to ensure it aligned with his administration’s goals, prioritizing “America first.” This decision impacted several initiatives related to Kiev, particularly those funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Recently, USAID’s official website went offline, and its account on X disappeared, amidst speculation that the White House might merge the agency into the State Department. The newly established US Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, has reportedly dispatched inspectors to audit USAID’s operations. Musk expressed his disdain on social media, stating, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” Trump echoed these sentiments, labeling the agency as “run by a bunch of radical lunatics and we are getting them out.”
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of former President Joe Biden's approach to aid for Ukraine, insisting that NATO members and the EU should match the contributions of the US. “We are in there for $200 billion more than the EU. I mean, what are we, stupid?” Trump remarked last month. US Vice President J.D. Vance also referred to the $200 billion figure last July, questioning, “We have now spent $200 billion. What is the goal? What are we trying to accomplish?”
In a recent interview with AP, Zelensky firmly stated that Ukraine has not received anything close to that amount. “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,” he asserted.
Since 2022, the US Congress has authorized approximately $175 billion for Ukraine, although a notable portion of that funding has reportedly been allocated to American industries and related government activities concerning the conflict. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, by October 2024, the US had provided around $92 billion in financial and military assistance to Ukraine, while EU nations and the UK together contributed about $131 billion.
Zelensky also pointed out that he has not seen much actual cash, with more than $70 billion of the aid being direct military assistance. “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,” he stated.
Among the first steps Trump took upon returning to office was the suspension of foreign aid for 90 days to ensure it aligned with his administration’s goals, prioritizing “America first.” This decision impacted several initiatives related to Kiev, particularly those funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Recently, USAID’s official website went offline, and its account on X disappeared, amidst speculation that the White House might merge the agency into the State Department. The newly established US Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, has reportedly dispatched inspectors to audit USAID’s operations. Musk expressed his disdain on social media, stating, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” Trump echoed these sentiments, labeling the agency as “run by a bunch of radical lunatics and we are getting them out.”
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
