US MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE IS FAR FROM THE ONLY AMERICAN AID WE GIVE


By bblouin
The flags of the United States and Ukraine are seen inside a conference room at Rapid Trident. US military aid to Ukraine is an ongoing conversation for both nations.

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, the United States has been doing everything it can to support the Ukrainian fighters without directly intervening. The assistance arrives through various bills that pass Congress to provide U.S. military aid to Ukraine. The concept is far from new, but with various hurdles such as the pandemic, historic inflation, and several other domestic social issues, many wonder more and more about how the government is spending taxpayers' money. But U.S. military aid doesn’t just pop up because of war in Europe. There are several nations around the globe that receive American military aid in an effort to maintain world peace and American interests. Related next: Russian Missiles in Ukraine Are Hitting Decoys Thanks to Drone Confusion

How Much Military Aid Does the U.S. Give to Ukraine?

As reported by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) at a time in which the U.S. sent Ukraine $400 million in military equipment to our ally, U.S. military aid to Ukraine has reached over $30 billion by March 2023. However, more is believed to be on the way. The ongoing war could see around $300 billion in additional aid sent to Ukraine. This would only add exponentially to the total US military aid to Ukraine, and considering there's no end of the war directly in sight, these figures are only expected to rise over time. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States has provided evolving aid to Kyiv based on evolving tactical needs. This has ranged from anti-armor weapons to artillery systems and more. Ongoing support includes testing equipment, spare parts, and field equipment for maintenance, but the United States isn't the only country lending a hand. Numerous countries worldwide have pledged significant support, including tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, ammunition, and multiple rocket launch systems. In an interesting parallel, while U.S. military aid to Ukraine is a current trend, there are many other nations that receive help from the United States. Some are still relatively high-profile deals, such as US military aid to Israel. However, there are many other nations receiving funding from America.

US Military Aid for Other Countries May Surprise You

When we look at US foreign aid by country 2023, it’s important to remember that the data collected for such findings won’t represent this year but rather will be skewed as it is a collection of comprehensive data from previous years:

  1. Afghanistan ($4.89 billion)
  2. Israel ($3.3 billion)
  3. Jordan ($1.72 billion)
  4. Egypt ($1.46 billion)
  5. Iraq ($960 million)
  6. Ethiopia ($922 million)
  7. Yemen ($809 million)
  8. Colombia ($800 million)
  9. Nigeria ($793 million)
  10. Lebanon ($790 million)

Yet, it’s still interesting to view this data for a number of reasons, including the following:

  • $247.3 million is the typical amount of aid that Ukraine receives from the United States. This amount of funding doesn’t place the nation anywhere close to the top ten.
  • Everything is best put into perspective. These funds are used for military aid, but they also go to a host of different initiatives such as humanitarian aid, education funds, rebuilding efforts, etc.
  • It’s also worth noting that there isn’t a single government body that provides aid for foreign countries. Funding comes from many spheres, including the DoD and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Suggested read: Finland-NATO Agreement Is Russia’s Nightmare Come True

The Alternative to US Military Aid to Ukraine Could Be Much More Costly

There is no need for elaborate justifications. Without the U.S. helping Ukraine, war in Europe could become out of control, setting a dangerous precedent for how nations should conduct themselves. For years, Ukraine sat in an uncomfortable position. It couldn’t join NATO without provoking Russia and for NATO, it was a strategic barrier. But those days are over and there is no going back. The reaction from other nations, specifically Finland and Sweden, has been very negative from a Russian standpoint. Finland joining NATO means that a massive land border is now a direct neighbor of Russia and Sweden’s initiation is now seemingly just a matter of time. Having Ukraine join rather than supporting them monetarily could spell disaster not only in Europe but throughout the world. This is because an attack on a NATO state would trigger a direct conflict between two of the world’s nuclear superpowers. The hope is that US military aid to Ukraine can end the conflict with a peaceful resolution for Europe as a whole and a path to restoring the Ukrainian infrastructure. But until war ceases, the world remains on edge. Read next: What American Veterans Fighting in Ukraine Need To Know Before Going


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