Zelensky refutes claims about Ukraine receiving USD200billion aid form US

(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refuted claims that Ukraine received $200 billion in aid from the U.S., stating that the actual amount was closer to $75 billion. This discrepancy follows remarks from former President Donald Trump and other officials, who have criticized the U.S. financial commitment to Ukraine. Trump argued that NATO allies and the EU should match the U.S. contributions, questioning the rationale behind such a large U.S. expenditure on Ukraine.

Zelensky clarified in an interview that while the figure of $200 billion might appear on paper due to various programs, in reality, Ukraine received about $76 billion in assistance. He acknowledged the significant support but expressed uncertainty about where the rest of the claimed funds went, suggesting that the U.S. president’s administration might conduct an audit to track the missing amounts.

Since 2022, the U.S. has authorized about $175 billion for Ukraine, with a significant portion allocated to American industries and government-related activities. A report from Germany’s Kiel Institute also indicated that as of October 2024, the U.S. had allocated approximately $92 billion in military and financial aid, with EU countries and the UK contributing $131 billion.

Zelensky further noted that a large part of the aid came in the form of military assistance, leaving him largely uninformed about other humanitarian programs funded by the U.S. Meanwhile, USAID's operations have come under scrutiny, with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) conducting audits of the agency's activities. Musk has called USAID a "criminal organization," echoing criticism from Trump about its management.

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