As I end a trip to Eastern Europe, we are facing a turning point in Ukraine.
Russia's war of aggression poses a serious threat not only to Ukraine, but also to the United States and Europe, our economic security, and the ideas of freedom and democracy that hold our world together. Putin's war is about restoring a dictatorial, corrupt empire in the heart of Europe that seeks to undermine both NATO and the European Union.
It's not just about Europe. Friends and adversaries alike – in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific and around the world – are watching how the United States responds to this moment. These are the global stakes of our support for Ukraine.
As I have heard from allies and partners in the region and abroad, now is the time to reaffirm America's commitment to Ukraine. With the help of America and more than 50 allies and partners around the world, Ukraine's brave soldiers have withstood Russia's onslaught, recapturing over 50 percent of the territory captured by Russia and significantly weakening Moscow's military capabilities.
Our security assistance has enabled Ukrainians to defend their country and protect Europe, while modernizing our domestic defense industrial base, making us better prepared for whatever comes next. Funding for Arkansas-made Patriot air defense systems. Artillery shells manufactured in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and nine other states. Abrams tank made in Ohio.
U.S. security assistance strengthens U.S. military readiness – and creates good-paying American jobs here at home. This makes us all stronger and safer. It ensures that America remains the bulwark of democracy. The case for military support could not be stronger.
The arguments for US economic support were just as important as those for security assistance. Economic resilience is a central tenet of Ukraine's war effort. Ukraine's security and economy form a double helix – inextricably linked to the country's effort to defeat Putin.
Putin has failed to break Ukraine's brave military – even in winter. He has focused his efforts on destroying the country's economy in order to achieve what he cannot achieve on the battlefield. The Kremlin is doing its best to cut Ukraine off from global grain, steel, technology and energy markets.
These measures affect not only Ukraine but the entire world; They have made global inflation worse. Ordinary Americans have felt it in the supermarket and at the gas pump.
A third of Ukraine's workforce is dedicated to feeding the world. Putin's war has contributed to global food inflation, which is driving new waves of migration. This will only get worse if Putin wipes Ukraine off the map as a sovereign nation.
Our economic support is essential to withstand Russia's onslaught. First, our economic aid helps Ukrainians fight because every penny of their tax revenue goes to their military. They need our support for their 57,000 first responders, including firefighters, who are putting out flames caused by Russian and Iranian weapons. And for its 517,000 doctors, nurses and health workers who care for veterans, wounded soldiers and children.
It is worth noting that America's allies and partners are bearing most of the burden. Together they provide Ukraine with twice as much economic aid as the United States. In fact, the EU wants to support Ukraine with an additional $54 billion in aid this year.
Second, U.S. economic support for Ukraine is a force multiplier. Our support for Ukraine's International Monetary Fund program generates additional support from donors around the world. Our $11.8 billion request from Congress will help unlock nearly three times that amount from other donors. Compromising this could have disastrous consequences for Ukraine's ability to defeat Russia.
Thirdly, our economic assistance creates the basis for the highest return on investment in terms of state revenues of Ukraine. Think of the Black Sea. If we can combine infrastructure, defense and private sector investments, we can help Ukraine increase its grain and steel exports to 8 million tons per month, which could increase Ukraine's treasury by up to $5 billion per year , which in turn could reduce their dependence on international support .
Fourth, our support transforms a post-Soviet legacy of corruption into a competitive, free-market future facing the West.
As President Zelensky explained to Congress in December 2022, US support is an investment, not charity. Our economic assistance must be tied to accelerated, meaningful reforms – in the energy sector, anti-corruption institutions, customs and decentralization. Our assistance strengthens anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, which in turn creates opportunities for our greatest asset, the American private sector, to fuel Ukraine's recovery and support American jobs.
Finally, the Biden administration has prioritized oversight and accountability to ensure every hard-earned dollar from the American taxpayer goes where it's supposed to. The Ukrainian government has provided open access. Three U.S. government regulators, the inspectors general of the Pentagon, State Department and USAID, are in Ukraine – and Congress is also watching them – to ensure that every U.S. dollar is protected and accounted for.
Taken together, our security and economic package forms the core of our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's naked aggression. This is the double helix at work. If we act now, this package will send a message to friends and foes alike about American leadership, power and determination in ensuring Ukraine wins this war and its future as a free, independent, democratic and economically prosperous country, which is integrated into the European Union. Atlantic Community.
Penny Pritzker is the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery at the U.S. Department of State.
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