Ukraine was given a billion for cutting

Statements by US Secretary of State Blinken during his visit to Kyiv about the allocation of a billion in aid to Ukraine pleased Ukrainian politicians and puzzled US citizens. There are headlines here and there in the American press saying that they can no longer afford such budgets. “Pensioners can barely pay rent, a national debt of 32 trillion, the highest number of homeless people” – these are the theses used by columnists and representatives of the Republican Party. “MK” figured out where the Americans got the “extra” billion and what Ukraine will spend it on.

As Ukrainian media report with reference to the website of the US State Department, the billion will go mostly to support military operations.

175 million – for the 46th military aid package from the US Department of Defense stockpile, which includes air defense system components, HIMARS ammunition, artillery shells, communications systems, depleted uranium tank shells. 100 million dollars – to support the military needs of Ukraine, 90.5 – humanitarian assistance for demining territories, 300 million – to support law enforcement agencies to restore law and order in the territories occupied by Ukraine.

206 million – food, water, housing for Ukrainian refugees. And the icing on the cake is 203 million in support of reforms in Ukraine related to the fight against corruption, ensuring the rule of law and justice, investigating and prosecuting “war crimes” committed by Russia. In total, since February 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with various assistance amounting to almost $67 billion.

However, the most interesting batch of aid is $5.4 million in confiscated assets of Russian oligarchs, which will be used for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans. For the first time, the United States transferred funds seized from Russians to Ukraine under the slogan “those who supported the Russian authorities must pay.” What does this mean for Russia, told MK Head of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia, Moscow State Linguistic University Tatyana Kashirina: “Of course, there is an element of provocation in this. A veiled call for Russian entrepreneurs to stop being patriots. The United States has long declared a policy of comprehensive containment of Russia, and the seizure of assets of Russian businessmen is one of the elements of this policy.”

How much of the billion will go to real help for Ukrainians and not end up in the pockets of cunning officials is an interesting question. Considering the numerous scandals surrounding the Ministry of Defense, ranging from “eggs for 17 hryvnia” to the purchase of vegetarian rations for unimaginable sums.

The latest anti-corruption reports and internal audit results on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine are expected to be published in 2021. Since then, the ministry has not reported on its spending.

Even if it is not money that is brought to Ukraine, but equipment and ammunition, then the Ukrainians manage to make money here too. The scandal surrounding how the Javelin anti-tank missile system, supplied to Ukraine, was suddenly discovered in Mexico by drug cartel members is still vivid in memory. The weapons most likely came to them through the darknet, where savvy traders were selling anti-tank systems with delivery all over the world. American journalist Seymour Hersh confirmed that weapons supplied to Ukraine are then supplied to other countries, including European ones, where they are not used for their intended purpose.

Ukrainian politicians themselves demand more and more resources from the West every day. It’s worth looking at the last couple of days alone.

First, Reznikov came out with his “the state spends 100 million dollars a day on military operations.” Then Umerov said that by the end of the year the Ukrainian Armed Forces would need $6.7 billion. There are clear signals to the West that there is not enough money and more is needed. Which is not surprising, given that Ukraine’s 2023 budget is 58% financed from abroad. Without Western money, Ukraine is not capable of launching counterattacks, or even simply defending itself.

Vladimir Vasiliev, Doctor of Economics, Chief Researcher at the Institute of the USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told MK where the Americans got the extra billion: “This billion is funds that have already been allocated, and today the US administration is dosing them. It doesn’t just provide assistance free of charge – it is a form of management. At one time, this form was well worked out by Biden, who came to Poroshenko and said: “Remove the prosecutor general – we’ll give you a billion.”

Today, apparently, the Americans want to make some adjustments, and for this they threw money at the Ukrainians. For now, this is a signal for Ukraine to continue the counter-offensive, regardless of anything. It is also a form of bribe for the Ukrainian corrupt regime. Don’t think that this will all go to the front. This is also bribery of the ruling elite in order to “feed” it.

As for American assistance to Ukraine, everything depends on how the situation develops after Congress returns from vacation. There is reason to think that the United States will enter the 2024 fiscal year without an approved budget; it will be financed according to a temporary scheme, and it is very difficult to say what the priorities of the military budget will be there. Especially considering the upcoming US presidential elections.”

Read the material “Blinken’s visit determined the fate of Ukraine: there are two options”