The promise of significant financial support for Ukraine from the United States has sparked international controversy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered an unexpected perspective on foreign aid, revealing that less than half of the promised billions have actually reached his country, raising questions about the transparency and efficiency of this process.
“It’s not $200 billion, let’s be honest”
In a recent interview, Zelensky addressed the issue of foreign aid, which has long been a source of controversy. Although the U.S. administration promised $174 billion in support for Ukraine, the Ukrainian leader acknowledged that less than half of this amount has been effectively allocated.
“When they say that Ukraine, during the war, received $200 billion to support the army, etc., this is not true. I don’t know where all this money is. Maybe it’s true on paper. Maybe there are hundreds of different programs. Maybe. We are not arguing. We are very grateful for everything. But as president, I received more than $70 billion, about $76 billion. And this is great support. But it’s not 200. Let’s be honest. It’s not $200 billion,” Zelensky stated.
“A bureaucratic labyrinth” – where did the billions go?
The Ukrainian leader explained that the money ended up in a “bureaucratic labyrinth,” and the process of allocating funds was far more complicated than anticipated. Although Ukraine received significant support, the disparity between the promised sums and those actually allocated raises serious questions about the management of foreign funds.
“A large portion of this money was simply distributed across multiple programs without a clear direction, and transparency was, in many cases, absent. This led to a smaller impact than anticipated for the civilian population,” Zelensky added, explaining that humanitarian aid was also affected by this complex system.
Suspension of humanitarian aid – a step backward for Ukraine
Zelensky also discussed the moment when the U.S. government suspended humanitarian aid programs, starting with the Trump administration, which severely affected the civilian population. In this context, the Ukrainian leader emphasized that the aid was not only financial but also logistical, and its absence had negative consequences.
“I am grateful for all the support we have received, but the reality is that we were left to manage on our own for significant periods. We received aid from Europe, but even this support was much harder to manage and less efficient than we would have liked,” the Ukrainian President explained.
European support on the rise: €14.6 billion for Ukraine
Despite the difficulties with U.S. aid, Ukraine has received significant support from the European Union, particularly from the United Kingdom, which has continued to provide essential assistance. In the summer of 2024, Ukraine received €14.6 billion to strengthen security and infrastructure. These funds were crucial for Ukraine in the ongoing war context.
“From other European countries, especially the United Kingdom, all this aid is confirmed through the bilateral agreements we signed for security guarantees. The corresponding money and support are in place. We have all of this today,” Zelensky added.
Corruption allegations and a possible international investigation
Russia did not hesitate to respond to these statements, with its Permanent Representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, making serious allegations of corruption and financial fraud. “It is evident that commission schemes were involved, and this process was marked by a complete lack of transparency,” Nebenzia stated, adding that this scandal could become one of the biggest international controversies regarding foreign aid.
In light of these accusations and uncertainties about the fate of aid, U.S. authorities have announced that they will launch a series of investigations to track the money and verify whether the aid was used as intended.
U.S. investigations and calls for transparency
To address concerns, the Office of the Inspector General of USAID and the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense have begun audits that could overturn the entire aid distribution process. Additionally, former Trump national security advisor Kash Patel has called for a detailed investigation to determine where the promised billions ended up.
“This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed quickly. We are facing a potential large-scale scandal that could affect the American public’s trust in the management of foreign aid for Ukraine,” Patel stated.
Conclusion: Still a fragile support for Ukraine
Despite significant international support, the truth about the management of foreign aid remains unclear. Although Ukraine has received financial assistance, these funds have not always been allocated efficiently, and humanitarian aid has been affected by political decisions. While Zelensky continues his efforts to attract more foreign aid, questions about transparency and efficiency remain unresolved.
