A long-awaited decision
The US Congress has finally approved a package of laws that provides military and other aid to Ukraine worth 61 billion dollars.
“We should be happy that this decision has been made in the lower house of Congress, where there was the biggest hang-up, and then the others will sort themselves out, so that everything will happen as it should happen, and the aid will finally flow again in the direction of Ukraine. It is about more than 60 billion, but it’s not new 60 billion only for military aid – for new tanks, new anti-aircraft defense systems. What’s most important, the latest – it’s more like an amount worth about 14 billion,” Bērziņa explained.
Expert Kristine Bērzina’s column in the program “Fuse”
Security policy expert Kristīne Bērziņa.
Photo: Toms Šics / Latvian Radio
Kristīne Bērziņa, an expert on security policy, a researcher at the Marshall Fund in Washington, will highlight the most important events of the week in the context of the world and Latvia, as well as those that may have been missed in the mass of information, as well as give a comment on why they are important and what impact could be caused.
What is included in the other 46 billion? More than $23 billion will go back into the US military industry to fill the holes left by what was already given to Ukraine. Also, these funds will be used to develop and promote the production of 155 millimeter rounds in the USA.
“It is both filling holes and accumulating American reserves, which can be given again. So, this gives the opportunity to further produce more. Another 11 billion of the aid is to pay for American military activity in the region around Ukraine. So there are all kinds of the aid that the US gives to Ukraine, which takes time, which also takes money, and this funding supports America’s future performance in aid to Ukraine,” said Berziņa.
Then the funds were allocated to be able to track how this aid is spent in Ukraine. For example, 26 million have been allocated for the organization of measures against corruption in Ukrainian society.
“This is extremely important, because a big question in the United States, especially in those circles that do not want to support Ukraine, is how Ukraine actually spends these funds that are given. Therefore, a great emphasis from Congress is placed on tracking these billions that are sent so that they are properly spent,” Bērziņa explained.
Therefore, yes, the support provided by the USA is very significant and important, but it should be understood that all the more than 60 billion will not be directed to the Ukrainian army and new weapons.
“It’s a big step forward, but unfortunately, it’s not a brand new 60 billion that will immediately go to Ukraine,” Berziņa admitted.
The first financial aid from the US to Ukraine is likely to be sent as early as this week, but the military aid that must be sent across the ocean is likely to take more time. Together with the help that Europe provides and plans to provide to Ukraine, the situation should improve, said the security policy expert.
“If you take it together with the upcoming Czech ammunition projects and other things, then it looks like the situation on the front in Ukraine could look much better already in June. Now something is moving forward, it’s a big and positive news, and there will be really more relief in June.” was evaluated by Bērziņa.
Europe must not relax
Seeing the positive movement now taking place in the US, many are worried that this will put Europe back to sleep.
“For Europe to relax now would be the complete opposite response to what is needed. America has accepted something, but as I said, it is not the full 60 billion that is coming. In reality, the new money coming to Ukraine is 14 billion. Ukraine needs a lot more than 14. Last week there were talks at the European Union level that new air defense systems should be sent, and it is possible that there could be a movement from Germany in this matter. We need to speed up this process,” Berziņa emphasized.
Like the USA, this is an election year for Europe, and this could slow down the processes in Brussels, but in the meantime, the big European countries, where individual elections are not held this year, should therefore increase and speed up their aid to Ukraine, said the security policy expert.
“The work that needs to be done is, first of all, lending and gifting more anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. This is extremely important. After that, it is also necessary to increase the production capacity for all weapons in European countries,” said Berziņa.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with a drone used in the war in Ukraine
Photo: dpa/picture-alliance, Boris Roessler
Seeing how long it took the US to accept support, Europe needs to learn from this experience and increase its own production of both complex air defense systems, which are already produced in Germany, Norway and elsewhere, as well as simple things.
“For example, gunpowder should not be bought from other countries, but rather produced by ourselves, and bullets and weapons must be produced more and more, because the demand is not only from Ukraine, we also need it ourselves in every NATO and European Union member state.
For Europe to relax now and say – well, something has already been given to Ukraine, we can now think about another policy for a couple of months – would be a huge mistake. Europe must continue to speed up its support to Ukraine and, like the USA, invest in its defense in the context of the Ukrainian conflict,” Berziņa emphasized.
It would be time for Russia to say goodbye to its assets
One of the decisions, also included in the already mentioned package of laws, which has just been approved by the United States, is about the possible use of frozen Russian assets to finance aid to Ukraine.
“It is easier for the USA to make such a decision than for Europe, because only six billion Russian assets are frozen in the USA, but there are more than 300 billion in Europe, especially in France, Germany and Belgium.
Then, when America takes the next step and accepts the use of these assets, the big question will be, should Europe not do the same? But in Europe, it’s not quite that simple, and Russia has already threatened that if Europe were to make a similar decision, it would be more painful for Europe than it would be for Russia,” Bērziņa explained.
Of course, threats from Russia are constantly being made, but this may affect or hinder Europe’s ability to agree on the use of these assets. At the same time, the example of the USA can encourage and motivate European politicians to finally implement it.
“For years, there has been talk about whether Russia’s own money should not be used to help Ukraine, and here is an example that it is moving towards the reality that Russia also has to answer with its own funds for what is being done in Ukraine,” said Berziņa.
It has not yet been said that the US will implement this decision and use Russia’s frozen assets, as there is opposition from American politicians as well.
“This policy is not without opposition in the United States. There are politicians who believe that this can have a very negative effect on American interests in the long term – if other countries cannot trust that the investments that are in the United States are safe. There could also be political interference in this process, ” Berziņa admitted.
