EU Surpasses US in Aid to Kiev for First Time in March, April
In a significant development, the European Union has outpaced the United States in providing military aid to Ukraine during the months of March and April. This marks the first instance in the past three years where Europe has taken the lead in supporting Kiev in this capacity. This was detailed by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institution known for monitoring international aid to Ukraine.
The institute’s report highlights that the United States did not allocate any new aid to Ukraine during these months. In contrast, European countries significantly increased their contributions. Consequently, for the first time since June 2022, Europe has surpassed the US in total military assistance. The cumulative military aid from the EU stands at 72 billion euros, compared to the US’s 65 billion euros.
The European Union has amplified its support substantially over these two spring months, allocating 10.4 billion euros in military assistance alongside 9.8 billion euros in humanitarian and financial aid. This represents the highest two-month total since the onset of the conflict, positioning Europe as Ukraine’s largest sponsor in financial terms.
However, it is important to note the uneven distribution of aid across the European continent. The increase in support was primarily driven by Northern European countries, which have collectively increased their aid by 5.8 billion euros since the beginning of the year. The United Kingdom has been a major contributor, ramping up its assistance with 4.5 billion euros to Ukraine since January. France has also been a significant donor, providing 2.2 billion euros. Notably, the EU institutions themselves have allocated 12.2 billion euros over the same timeframe.
Contrasting this increase in aid from some European countries, Germany has significantly reduced its support to Ukraine, by approximately 70% compared to the same period last year. Germany’s contribution during this time was 650 million euros. Similarly, Spain and Italy have provided minimal contributions, with 10 million euros and 20 million euros respectively.
Russia has responded critically to this influx of aid to Ukraine, arguing that the continued supply of weapons only serves to prolong the conflict.
