Pentagon, independent analysts dispute Trump's claim of $350 billion spent on Ukraine

Voice of America reported that, according to official sources, the figures cited by President Donald Trump regarding U.S. spending on the war in Ukraine are significantly higher than the actual amounts spent

This week, Trump reiterated his claim that the United States has spent $350 billion on the conflict in Ukraine. However, this figure far exceeds the amount tracked by the Pentagon and the interagency oversight group that monitors U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

According to data from the Pentagon, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Congress has allocated approximately $183 billion in aid to Ukraine. Of this, the Pentagon confirmed that the U.S. has sent military aid worth $65.9 billion to Ukraine, with another $3.9 billion authorized but not yet spent.

Additionally, around $58 billion of the total $183 billion in U.S. aid has been used domestically, either to support the development of U.S. defense industries or to replace weapons sent to Ukraine with new American-made ones.

Trump's figures have been questioned by both the White House and independent analysts. The White House responded by reiterating Trump's comments, but analysts from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and other organizations noted that the actual U.S. contribution is around $120 billion, with European nations providing a comparable amount, including military, humanitarian, and financial aid.

The discrepancy between Trump's claims and the official figures has raised concerns. Experts have pointed out that Trump's numbers might be based on broader calculations, including categories not tracked by traditional datasets, such as U.S. military and intelligence expenditures in the region. Nevertheless, even when all relevant U.S. assistance is included, the total amount still does not reach the $350 billion figure cited by Trump.

In conclusion, while the U.S. has indeed provided substantial aid to Ukraine, the $350 billion figure is not supported by available evidence, and the actual amount is likely closer to $200 billion when considering all forms of assistance. This discrepancy highlights the importance of accurate reporting when discussing such significant financial commitments.

• The UK and France's plan for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine involves deploying up to 30,000 European troops, but it depends on convincing the U.S. President to agree to a limited military role for the United States.