Where U.S. Military Aid Is Going

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed an additional $200 million in defensive security assistance to Ukraine during his visit to the country. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday amidst growing tension between the country and Russia that many observers fear could turn into war.

Looking at all foreign military aid given by the U.S. in 2020 - the latest available year - Ukraine already ranked high on the list of countries the U.S. is supporting with military assistance. That year, Ukraine received $284 million – rank six. The additional $200 million that were approved in December 2021 mean that military aid obligations made to the country would have risen significantly in the past year.

The biggest military aid recipients in 2020 were Israel and Afghanistan, both receiving around $3 billion each. With the U.S. withdrawal from the latter country completed in 2021, its status will likely change. U.S. allies in the Middle East – like Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon – also received large sums.