U.S. Aid to Ukraine Clarified –
Many of us are waiting to see what President elect Trump will do regarding the war in Ukraine. In my opinion there’s more public sentiment FOR the war than he or his staff realize. I pray his advisors will avail themselves of the plethora of info on the war that is available to the average citizen on government sites. When he comes into office we should remind him of it.
* * * * * *
Eighteen months into the Ukraine War the United States had committed to give Ukraine 66 Billion in aid. Some folks have the erroneous idea we are handing over tons of cash, but almost all is in the form of military supplies, general war security assistance. Plus, much is spent in the U.S.
Let’s break it down: (References below.)
Financial assistance to Ukraine:
Weapons 12.5 Billion
Economic 9.4 B
U.S. Military deployment & Intel 9 B
Food, Healthcare, related 7 B
Military security 6 B
Grants, loans for military suppl 4.7 B
Migration, refugee aid 1.8 B
Foreign aid 1.5 B
EU, Eurasia, Central Asia aid 1.1 B
Admin: Children, family 0.9 B
Diplomatic programs .5 B
Enforcing sanctions 0.3 B
Weapons to Ukraine:
(These weapons are from U.S. stock and already paid for.)
1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems
7,600 Javelin anti armor systems
50 Medical transport vehicles
C4 Medical transport airplanes
700 Switchblade tactical unmanned aerial
126 155mm Howitzers, 260,000 rounds ammo
108 Tactical vehicles to tow howitzers
20 Mi-17 Helicopters
100’s High mobility vehicles
200 Personnel carriers
Over 7,000 Small arms
50M Ammo
75K Body armor, helmets
Coastal defense vessels
Communication systems
Satellite imagery systems
Chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear protective supplies
Medical supplies
Extra funding for training, maintenance
HIMARS, NASAMS, surface to air missiles
(List as of the 54 B mark.)
The U.S. is giving, or under lend-lease contract, with Ukraine for roughly 5% of our military budget. The cash is earmarked for specific use, and weapons are from the stockpile that is paid for. The argument that the U.S. should give the Ukraine aid to our Southern Border or Lahaina before Ukraine is not valid because those locales are not in need of tanks, F-16’s or air defense equipment.
References:
White House Fact Sheet Ukraine War
U.S. Dept. of Defense Fact Sheet Ukraine War
Factcheck.org
New York Times