According to a report by CBS News, it has been revealed that American taxpayers are unknowingly subsidizing small businesses in Ukraine, including a designer knitwear company, while struggling with inflation and financial difficulties at home. The U.S. has already pumped nearly $25 billion of non-military aid into Ukraine’s economy since the start of the Ukraine War in 2022, on top of at least $43 billion in military aid. This is quite alarming, especially considering the current economic state of many Americans.
One of the small businesses receiving this aid is a designer knitwear company in Ukraine’s capital, far from the frontlines of the war. The owner, Tatiana Abramova, acknowledges the challenging conditions of working in a war-torn country, stating “We have to pay taxes, we have to pay wage, salary to our employees. We have to work, don’t stop.” When asked how this support would help Ukraine win the war, she responded by saying that the economy is the foundation of everything. However, this raises the question of whether it is the responsibility of American taxpayers to prop up businesses in a foreign country, especially when many are struggling to make ends meet themselves.
Abramova also stated that she felt “grateful” for the aid from the U.S. government, believing it to be “from the heart of every ordinary American person.” However, this sentiment may not be shared by everyday Americans who are feeling the pinch of inflation. As a Bloomberg report highlighted, while inflation may have cooled down from a year ago, it is still impacting essential costs such as food, gas, and car insurance. This creates a significant disconnect between policymakers who point to cooling inflation indicators as progress and those who are feeling the effects of it on a day to day basis.
The reality is that American taxpayers are paying for Ukraine’s seeds, fertilizers, and first responders’ salaries while the Ukrainian government continues to rank as the second most corrupt country in Europe. According to CBS News, there are currently four criminal cases being investigated involving non-military aid, and a shocking 170 Ukrainian government officials have been charged with corruption just this year. This raises concerns about the diversion of aid, despite reassurances from Ukrainian politicians.
Some U.S. lawmakers, such as Senator Lindsey Graham, have argued that sending aid to Ukraine is a great deal for America, stating, “Here’s what we’ve gotten for our investment. We haven’t lost one soldier. We reduced the combat power of the Russian army by 50%, and not one of us has died in that endeavor.” However, American Army Lieutenant Oleksandr Shyrshyn disagrees, saying that Ukrainians pay for this aid “with their lives.” He hopes that their lives are valued much more than just money or taxpayers’ money.
Despite this ongoing investigation and corruption concerns, the Biden administration is seeking an additional $24 billion in aid to Ukraine, bringing the total to a staggering $135 billion since the war began. However, with public support for aid to Ukraine diminishing and the American economy struggling, more than two dozen senators and lawmakers are pushing back against this request, arguing that not another dollar should go towards Ukraine.
“It's the aid from the heart of every ordinary American person,” says Tatiana Abramova, a small business owner in Ukraine. America has pumped nearly 25 billion dollars of non-military aid into Ukraine’s economy since the Russian invasion. https://t.co/LX7D9Kd6mL pic.twitter.com/32U9c7mS4I
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 24, 2023
It is time to reevaluate the use of American taxpayer money, especially when it is being used to support businesses in a foreign country while many at home are facing financial difficulties.
Pay for corruption
Besides the 10% being kicked back to Biden it’s also known the money is being spent elsewhere in Ukraine instead of the war.