President Donald Trump has claimed that Ukraine would have been completely defeated in its war against Russia without the financial and military support of the United States.
Trump made the statement on Tuesday while speaking from the Oval Office after signing an executive order aimed at increasing price transparency in healthcare. The order directs the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to establish a framework within 90 days to enforce new rules requiring hospitals and health insurers to disclose pricing information.
Addressing the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Trump said the U.S. had provided Ukraine with financial aid amounting to between $300 billion and $350 billion. He insisted that the U.S. should be reimbursed for the extensive support given to the war-torn nation.
“We want to get that money back,” Trump said, emphasizing that American taxpayers deserve a full refund for the aid provided.
The President acknowledged the courage of Ukrainian forces but asserted that without the backing of the United States, the war would have ended swiftly in Russia’s favor.
“Ukraine, I will say, they are very brave,” Trump remarked. “But without the United States and its money and its military equipment, this war would have been over in a very short period of time.”
Trump also confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Washington D.C. later this week to finalize a minerals deal. The agreement is seen as a critical step to securing resources that would bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The President framed the minerals deal as a pivotal move to ensure Ukraine’s ability to continue resisting Russian aggression. “It gives Ukraine the right to fight on,” he said.
February 24, 2025, marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—a conflict that has become the largest military confrontation in Europe since World War II.
Trump’s remarks come amid rising global concerns about the future of U.S. foreign aid, as the prolonged war has strained resources and divided public opinion. Critics argue that continued American support is essential for Ukraine’s survival, while Trump and his allies maintain that U.S. taxpayers should not bear the financial burden indefinitely.
As the Biden administration faces pressure to sustain Ukraine’s military capabilities, Trump’s comments highlight a growing debate about the long-term implications of America’s involvement in the conflict.
With Ukraine’s resilience hinging on international assistance, the upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy is expected to shape the next phase of U.S.-Ukraine relations.