President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has called on European Union leaders to unite in establishing a fund to support Ukraine within the European Peace Fund, with at least 5 billion euros annually for a period of 4 years.
In his video address to participants at this year’s European Union summit in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the necessity and decisiveness of demonstrating the full reliability and effectiveness of Europe’s decisions, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.
Zelensky pointed out that the Russian attack on Europe, which Moscow initiated on the European front, is now supported by another Russian partner, specifically artillery shells and ballistic missiles from North Korea.
The United States has provided an unprecedented level of support to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, making Ukraine the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid. This assistance marks a significant shift, as it’s the first time a European country has been the largest beneficiary of U.S. aid since the Marshall Plan after World War II. The Joe Biden administration and the U.S. Congress have allocated over $75 billion in aid, encompassing humanitarian, financial, and military support. This aid has been instrumental in supporting a broad set of Ukrainian people and institutions, from refugees to law enforcement, with a substantial portion being military-related.
Congress has approved a total of $66 billion in aid to support Ukraine, which includes a $40 billion supplemental appropriations legislation passed in May and additional funds approved through other bills. The $40 billion package includes $19 billion in military funding, with significant portions allocated for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, replenishing U.S. weapons sent to Ukraine, and enabling Ukraine to purchase new military equipment from the U.S. The package also provides for U.S. troop deployment in Europe in response to Russia’s invasion and supports U.S. allies and the defense industry. Besides military assistance, the package includes substantial humanitarian and economic aid, such as support for Ukraine’s government, food and healthcare services for the Ukrainian people, and assistance for Ukrainian refugees.
The flow of Western aid to Ukraine has faced challenges due to political logjams in the U.S. and the European Union. In the U.S., debates over border security and other issues have tied up funding, while in the EU, discussions over a significant aid package and Ukraine’s potential accession to the bloc have encountered hurdles, particularly from Hungary. Despite these challenges, the military aid provided by the U.S. and its allies has been crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russia, with many Western analysts acknowledging its pivotal role. The aid has included a wide range of defense capabilities, from battle tanks to advanced surveillance systems, and has evolved to include more sophisticated assets over time.
