Since Russia invaded Ukraine for the second time in eight years, Russian troops have ravaged Ukraine鈥檚 cities, raped its women, and stolen its children. Russian missiles and Iranian drones strike Ukrainian cities daily, often hitting civilian targets. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine is the victim.
For Americans who believe in respect for national borders, the primacy of national sovereignty, and the right to self-defense, support for Ukraine is natural. Ukrainians are not asking for, nor do they want, US troops to help them fight Russia. All they ask for are the material resources that give them a fighting chance. Meanwhile, Russia is America鈥檚 top geopolitical adversary.
As Congress debates additional support for Ukraine, the anti-Ukraine echo chamber will peddle myths and half-truths, including these four:
Myth: Washington is writing Kyiv 鈥渂lank checks鈥� that Americans cannot afford.
Reality: Every dollar spent in support of Ukraine is authorized by Congress and used for a specific purpose. There has never been a 鈥渂lank check鈥� to Ukraine. As of September 2023, the US has provided Ukraine with , or about 0.43 percent of America鈥檚 GDP. Since February 2022, this averages out to 68 cents per day for each American adult. The vast majority of this money never leaves the US and instead supports American jobs. For this modest amount, the US helps Ukraine dismantle Russia鈥檚 military without a single American firing a shot or being shot at. The US can easily afford to support Ukraine, but it cannot afford not to.
Myth: There is not enough oversight of US aid to Ukraine.
Reality: There has likely never been more accountability in place for US foreign assistance than what is available for Ukraine aid. Soon after Russia鈥檚 invasion, the US government the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group. More than 160 officials across 20 federal oversight agencies . To date, Congress has allocated for the Inspectors General of the Department of Defense, Department of State, and USAID to increase oversight through the working group. Dozens of have been completed with dozens more in the works. According to the , 鈥淚nvestigations related to the Ukraine response have not yet substantiated significant waste, fraud, or abuse.鈥�
Myth: America is exponentially the largest donor to Ukraine.
Reality: According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy鈥檚 Ukraine aid tracker, total European commitments are now more than double those of the US. After totaling all aid (military, economic, humanitarian, and refugee), 20 European countries than the US as a percentage of GDP. Europe can do more, but that is no reason for the US to stop supporting Ukraine.
Myth: Russia is a distraction. The US must focus on China.
Reality: Russia is China鈥檚 junior partner. A defeated Russia means a weaker China. Beijing is watching Western support for Kyiv, so a victorious Ukraine would strengthen Taiwan and deter China. It鈥檚 no coincidence that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida while Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia. During this visit, Xi , 鈥淣ow there are changes that haven鈥檛 happened in 100 years. When we are together, we drive these changes.鈥� The choice between security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific is a false dichotomy. In terms of US national interests, these two regions are intimately linked. In the of Kishida, 鈥淭he security of the Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated from European security.鈥�