Fact Check: "US has sent 350 billion to Ukraine"
What We Know
The claim that the United States has sent $350 billion to Ukraine is inaccurate. As of the latest reports, the total appropriations for Ukraine-related assistance from the U.S. government amount to approximately $184.8 billion, which includes military, humanitarian, and economic support (Funding - Ukraine Oversight). This figure encompasses various appropriations made through multiple supplemental acts since the onset of the conflict in February 2022.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that as of December 31, 2023, U.S. agencies had appropriated over $174 billion under five Ukraine supplemental appropriations acts, with about $113 billion obligated and approximately $68 billion disbursed (Ukraine: Status and Use of Supplemental U.S. Funding). Furthermore, a significant portion of this funding is earmarked for military support, with the Department of Defense receiving around $62.3 billion, of which $52.3 billion has been obligated for military supplies (Ukraine: Status and Use of Supplemental U.S. Funding).
Analysis
The assertion of $350 billion in aid appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the actual figures. The total appropriations for Ukraine assistance, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources, do not approach the claimed amount. The BBC and the New York Times corroborate that U.S. financial assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict is significantly lower than $350 billion, with estimates around $175 billion to $184.8 billion.
Additionally, the claim lacks support from credible sources. The figures provided by the GAO and other governmental reports are based on official appropriations and disbursements, making them reliable benchmarks for understanding U.S. financial commitments to Ukraine. In contrast, the $350 billion figure does not appear in any official reports or analyses, indicating it may be an exaggeration or a misinterpretation of the data.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that the U.S. has sent $350 billion to Ukraine is false. The actual appropriations for Ukraine assistance are approximately $184.8 billion, significantly lower than the claimed amount. This discrepancy highlights the importance of relying on verified data from credible sources when discussing government funding and international aid.
Sources
- Funding - Ukraine Oversight
- Ukraine: Status and Use of Supplemental U.S. Funding, as of First ...
- U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine - United States ...
- How much has the US given to Ukraine?
- U.S. Aid to Ukraine by the Numbers (Published 2023)
- Fact-checking Trump's claims on amount of US aid to Ukraine
- Here's How Much Aid the United States Has Sent Ukraine
- How much aid has the US given to Ukraine? - Full Fact