Kyiv, Ukraine: In a stark turn of events, a recent study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel) reveals a concerning 87% decline in newly allocated aid to Ukraine between August and October compared to the same period last year.
The report comes against the backdrop of mounting uncertainty surrounding further US aid to Ukraine and a delay in the European Union’s approval of a $50 billion aid package for Kyiv, facing opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.
The geopolitical landscape is further complicated by recent developments in the US Senate, where Republicans blocked a supplemental funding bill combining $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in a procedural vote on December 6.
Although a $175 million defense aid package for Ukraine was announced on the same day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted that this might be one of the last military aid packages if Congress fails to pass additional funding.
According to the IfW Kiel report, the total value of aid packages announced during these critical months amounted to 2.11 billion euros (approximately $2.2 billion), marking the lowest level since January 2022.
The study tracked 42 donors, revealing that only 20 have pledged new aid packages to Ukraine in the past three months, indicating a significant drop in the share of active donors, reaching its lowest since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The United States continues to lead in providing military support to Ukraine, surpassing $47 billion, as reported by IfW Kiel. However, Germany is rapidly catching up, having contributed around $18 billion in military aid.
In terms of pledged military aid, the European Union member states collectively exceed the US, accounting for 47% of the total $26.9 billion pledged for heavy armaments from January 2022 to October 2023, with the US contributing 43%.
Christoph Trebesch, director of a research center at the Kiel Institute, expressed concern over the recent trend, stating, “Our data confirms the impression of a more hesitant attitude of donors in recent months.
Ukraine is increasingly dependent on a few major donors who continue to provide significant support, such as Germany, the US, or the Scandinavian countries.”
The uncertainty surrounding further aid from the US leaves Ukraine hopeful for the acceptance of the long-anticipated €50 billion support package by the European Union.
Any further delay, warns Trebesch, would undoubtedly strengthen Putin’s position, creating additional challenges for Ukraine on the international stage.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members