Servicemen of the 128th Separate Brigade of Territorial Defense Forces practice storming enemy positions during a tactical drill in the Zaporizhzhia direction, southeastern Ukraine. (Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Since Russia invaded Ukraine for the second time in eight years, Russian troops have ravaged Ukraine’s cities, raped its women, and stolen its children. But the anti-Ukraine echo chamber continues to peddle myths and half-truths about American support.

After debunking 10 myths about Ukraine aid last fall, Hudson Senior Fellow Luke Coffey identifies four more in a new fact sheet below.

Key Insights

Myth: Washington is writing Kyiv “blank checks” that Americans cannot afford.

Reality: There has never been a “blank check” to Ukraine, and the vast majority of money never leaves the United States. Instead, it supports American jobs. For a modest amount—68 cents per day for each American adult—the US helps Ukraine dismantle Russia’s military without a single American firing a shot or being shot at. The US can easily afford to support Ukraine, but it cannot afford not to.

Myth: There is not enough oversight of US aid to Ukraine.

Reality: There has likely never been more accountability in place for US foreign assistance than what is available for Ukraine aid. More than 160 officials across 20 federal oversight agencies monitor US aid to Ukraine. Dozens of reports have been completed with dozens more in the works. According to the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group, “Investigations related to the Ukraine response have not yet substantiated significant waste, fraud, or abuse.”

Myth: America is exponentially the largest donor to Ukraine.

Reality: According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy’s Ukraine aid tracker, total European commitments are now more than double those of the US. After totaling all aid (military, economic, humanitarian, and refugee), 20 European countries have given more to Ukraine than the US as a percentage of GDP. Europe can do more, but that is no reason for the US to stop supporting Ukraine.

Myth: Russia is a distraction. The US must focus on China.

Reality: Russia is China’s junior partner. A defeated Russia means a weaker China. Beijing is watching Western support for Kyiv, so a victorious Ukraine would strengthen Taiwan and deter China. The choice between security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific is a false dichotomy. In terms of US national interests, these two regions are intimately linked. In the words of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, “The security of the Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated from European security.”

Quotes may be edited for clarity and length. 

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