This topic has been bandied about a bit in the media, but I think it maybe should be getting more press.
Since Russia invaded the sovereign country of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 (we are rapidly approaching the 2 year anniversary), the U.S., as the largest member of the 30-odd country conglomerate of NATO, has been (appropriately, IMHO) the largest contributor to Ukraine — of military materiel, humanitarian aid, etc.
To date America has contributed billions.
That may sound like a lot, but to put it in proper perspective, what does that represent as a fraction of the U.S. annual defense budget?
5.6%.
As for the future, no one knows how long the war will last, or to what extent other members of NATO are prepared to take up the slack, given the reluctance (mainly from some Republicans) to further fund Ukraine.
Given the multitude of European nations that must come to agreement, it may be safe to say accord may not come easily.
Certain countries, like Hungary, seem sympathetic to Vladmir Putin.
Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban, wonders aloud whether there really is a war at all.
Maybe, as Putin called it, it’s only a ‘special military operation.’
The bargain the U.S. may be getting may be appreciated only in hindsight.
