The truth about what Europe and the US paid to save Ukraine from the Russian invasion

French President Emmanuel Macron is in Washington DC this week to meet with President Trump, and already tensions are high. The visit from the French leader comes as European countries reevaluate their relationship with the United States, as the new White House administration isolates the block in discussions over the future of Ukraine.

What have the United States and Europe contributed to Ukraine’s war effort?

The two heads of state debated President Trump’s claim that the US had provided much more in aid to Ukraine since the war started three years ago. Trump claimed that the US has sent more than $300 billion to Ukraine, while Europe had “only spent around $100 billion.”

These figures are inaccurate.

According to the Ukraine Support Tracker, European countries have contributed to €132 billion ($138 billion), and committed to sending an additional €115.1 billion ($156 billion). The US on the other hand has contributed less than €120 billion ($128 billion).

A presidential clash in front of the press

Trump’s qualms with the US support for Ukraine don’t end with the contribution figures. During the meeting, President Trump claimed, to the exasperation of his guest, that European countries that have helped to support Ukraine in its war effort against Russia, would see their investments returned.

"Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine," said the US president during his Oval Office meeting with Macron, adding that they would be “getting their money back.”

Macron interjected clarifying for those present that European countries have contributed “60 percent of the total effort.” This runs contrary to Trump’s claim that the US has provided much more support than France and other members of the European Union.

Additionally, Macron said Europe had frozen €230 billion ($240 billion) in Russian assets and was waiting to see how the negotiations went to see if these funds could be used for Ukraine to rebuild. For the French leader, Europeans must be represented in the negotiations, and the frozen assets should be used as leverage.

Where do talks go from here?

During today’s visit, Trump did state that he does not see his French counterpart as standing in disagreement with him about now being the right time to negotiate a peace deal.

Nevertheless, the two leaders have differing opinions on how that negotiation should take place, with Franch and other European countries adamant that Ukraine must form part of the talks and that an agreement should not be reached without the country’s consent.

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