R1trn won’t save Ukraine

– The new US package of $61 billion (about R1.1 trillion) in aid for Ukraine will not bring the war-battered country out of the woods, according to the Kiel Institute, which has been tracking the help provided by Kyiv’s allies.

“This is sorely needed support, but in the grand scheme of things it is not a game changer and will only provide temporary relief,” said Christoph Trebesch, head of the Ukraine Support Tracker at the German think tank, which published its latest update yesterday.

“Should the US pass no further support packages in late 2024 or 2025, Ukraine is very likely to face the same gap in support in 2025,” he said.

During months of blockage of the package in the US Congress, Ukrainian forces have run short of ammunition and have suffered battlefield setbacks.

By 29 February, the European Union, other members of the Nato alliance and countries such as Australia and Japan had come up with $120 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, according to the Kiel Institute’s update – compiled before the latest US aid was unblocked.

The European Union and its member states have pledged €52.4 billion, but over a period of several years. The US had meanwhile provided €43.2 billion. –