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THIS MORNING, US President Donald Trump suspended military aid for Ukraine, as the reverberations from last week’s disastrous White House meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy continue.
Since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, the United States has become one of the biggest financial supporters of Ukraine’s defence, but further contributions to the eastern European country now hang in the balance.
Former president Joe Biden approved billions of dollars in assistance, reaffirming what the state department called America’s “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
That changed with Trump’s shock shift in approach to the war.
Trump claims the US has spent $350 billion on the war in Ukraine—a figure that is at odds with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tally, as well as US government agencies and Western think tanks.
So how much has the US really contributed to Ukraine since the war began?
President Trump has made the claim that the US has spent at least $300 billion to Ukraine on a number of occasions – including when he hosted France’s President Macron in the White House this week.
Figures suggest the actual spend is much lower.
According to the US Department of Defence, Congress has “appropriated” $182.75 billion for Ukraine – a figure that covers US military training in Europe and replenishment of US defence stocks.
German-based think tank Kiel Institute estimates the total figure is even lower – at approximately $120 billion.
The State Department says that the US has provided $65.9 billion in military support to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began three years ago.
The US Government has used the emergency ‘Presidential Drawdown Authority’ on 55 occasions since August 2021 to provide Ukraine military assistance totaling approximately $27.7 billion from US military stockpiles.
The Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) gives the US president the power to quickly send military supplies and services from US stockpiles in response to an “unexpected emergency”.
Air defence
Washington is sending Kyiv increasingly sophisticated air defence material, notably including three Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries. European allies have also provided such systems to Ukraine.
Other defence systems on the list include 12 NASAMS as well as HAWK systems and munitions, and more than 3,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
To improve their effectiveness, 21 air surveillance radars were provided, along with equipment that integrates Western launchers and missiles to Ukraine’s systems.
Missiles and mortars
The US has sent more than 200 155mm howitzers along with three million corresponding artillery rounds, 72 105mm howitzers and a million rounds, and upwards of 700,000 mortars.
More than 40 HIMARS, rocket launchers mounted on light armored vehicles, were delivered with the corresponding ammunition.
Washington also gave Ukraine more than 10,000 Javelins, anti-tank missiles that became symbols of Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion in the first weeks of the war.
Over 120,000 other anti-vehicle weapons were delivered, as well as 10,000 TOW anti-tank missiles.
For smaller weapons, more than 500 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades were supplied to Ukrainian soldiers.
Tanks, choppers and drones
While the Pentagon has so far refused to send its combat aircraft directly to Kyiv, the Biden administration did provide 20 Soviet-designed Mi-17 military helicopters. It also delivered several different models of drones.
And after lengthy Biden administration delays, Washington delivered a total of 31 Abrams, the most advanced US heavy tanks, beginning in January 2023. Some 45 Soviet-designed T-72B tanks were also sent.
The State Department list also includes 300 Bradley fighting vehicles, 1,300 armored personnel carriers, more than 5,000 Humvee military vehicles and 300 armored ambulances.
Washington provided more than 100 patrol boats, coastal defence systems, Claymore mines, satellite communication systems, night vision goggles and more than 100,000 sets of body armor.
The above figures date from 20 January, in the final hours of the Biden administration.
Since Trump took office later that day, Washington has continued to deliver to Ukraine what a US defence official called “critical munitions” approved by the previous administration, including anti-tank weapons and artillery rounds.
Trump has previously claimed that the US has spent “more than $300 billion and Europe has spent about $100 billion – that’s a big difference”.
Kiel Institute estimates that Europe has contributed a total of €132 billion ($139 billion) to Ukraine since January 2022.
The European Union states that as of 21 February, €137 billion ($145 billion) in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance has been given to Ukraine.
This figure includes close to €50 billion ($53 billion) in military assistance.
This is expected to increase dramatically this year, as EU leaders scramble to fill the funding gaps left by the US.
Speaking today, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said that Europe is in “an era of armament”, adding that spending rules will be relaxed across the continent this year.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland has contributed approximately €380 million since January 2022.
This figure includes approximately €130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian supports.
Ireland is likely to commit to spending hundreds of millions of euro more to support Ukraine financially and militarily when EU leaders meet this week for an emergency summit.
Additional reporting from AFP
Want to know more about what’s happening in Ukraine and why? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online.
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