How much has the US spent on Ukraine in its war against Russia?
Is it the whopping amount of $500 billion?
How much will Washington get in its deal with Kyiv, that will allow it access to its rare-earth-rich mineral reserves?
These questions are important as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the US Friday and sign the deal with President Donald Trump.
Did US Spend $500 Billion On Ukraine?
According to the BBC, Washington has spent less than $300bn-$350 billion, though President Donald Trump has asked for $500 billion.
Germany-based Kiel Institute has estimated the US assistance to Ukraine as $119.7 billion.
The US Department of Defense has considered a broader range of activity in Europe, including replenishing defence stocks.
It has estimated an amount of $182.8 billion, still much less than the claim made by Trump.
Kiel Institute has suggested that European nations have spent much more on Ukraine than the US. It has said that the EU, its institutions and all European countries have spent around $138.7 billion.
However, Donald Trump has demanded $500 billion and asked Ukraine to sign a treaty allowing it access to its mineral reserves.
Ukraine-US Mineral Deal
Days before Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the US, the Ukrainian government authorised the official delegation to sign a bilateral minerals deal with Washington.
Announcing the cabinet’s decision Wednesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Dmytro Shmyhal said that the ministers had analysed and accepted the text of the draft deal.
Announcing that the Ukrainian President will sign “a very big agreement” Trump said that it would allow the US to get its “money back”. He also said that it would make the US “a lot of money in the future”.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy-Donald Trump Deal
After Russia rejected the presence of a peacekeeping force at the border of Ukraine to ensure its security, Donald Trump said that the mineral deal would allow the US to be present in the war-torn country and it would ensure peace and security there.
He said, “We will be on the land and that way there is going to be automatic security because nobody is going to be messing around with our people when we are there.”
Lauding the proposed mineral deal with the US, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a jointly owned fund would be set up. About 50% of the proceeds from Ukraine’s natural resources would be contributed to it.
He said further that Washington will be making corresponding contributions to the fund. The funds would be then re-invested in Ukraine’s development, reconstruction and safety.
Defending the proposed deal, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the deal is “only part of the picture”.
She told journalists, “We have heard multiple times from the US administration that it’s part of a bigger picture.”
