US Announces $1 Billion for Ukraine, Millions Confiscated From Russian Oligarchs

On his visit to Kyiv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $1 billion in US aid for Ukraine.

Out of the $1 billion, $5.4 million of it was confiscated from Russian oligarchs and would go to support veterans’ rehabilitation and reintegration.

Much of the announced aid is going toward helping law enforcement in the formerly occupied territories, providing housing for people who had to flee their homes, helping with anti-corruption efforts, and demining.

Blinken announced the aid on his visit with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the US has provided $43.2 billion in security assistance, $2.9 billion for humanitarian assistance and $20.5 billion in budget support through World Bank mechanisms. 

The $1 billion package Blinken announced, on what was his third visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, breaks down as follows: 

$300 million

To support law enforcement efforts to restore and maintain law and order in liberated areas, including cities and towns facing continuous shelling by Russia. 

$206 million

Will be used for humanitarian aid – including food, water and housing for people forced to flee their homes.

$203 million

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Will be used to support transparency and accountability efforts, to bolster reforms related to anti-corruption, rule of law and the justice sector, and to prosecute Russian war crimes.

$175 million

Will mainly go for air defense systems’ components, missiles for HIMARS, munitions, ammunition and communications systems.

$100 million

Will be used to provide for assorted longer-term military needs.

$90.5 million

Will be used to help with demining.

On the US Department of State website, Blinken’s visit was referred to as a way to underscore “unwavering US support for Ukraine’s defense of its sovereign territory and the people of Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing aggression.”