More than two years into Russia's illegal invasion, Ukraine finds itself in an increasingly precarious situation.
Republicans in the US are holding up a much-needed aid package, while Europe has been slow to deliver the support it has promised. Desperately short of both ammunition and air defenses, the conflict-ravaged nation is losing ground to Vladimir Putin's troops and could be heading for defeat if it doesn't receive the support it needs. However, Ukraine still has some generous backers.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine Support Tracker measures the aid nations around the world have donated to Ukraine, covering the period between January 24, 2022, and January 15, this year.
Read on as we rank the countries that have given the greatest share of their respective GDPs, which reflects the strength of their support for Ukraine more effectively than their financial totals.
Of the 41 countries monitored by the tracker, India and China have provided the least support, both offering a flat zero. Barely ahead of them are Türkiye and Taiwan, each with a pledge of just 0.01%.
New Zealand is next – the nation has promised a mere 0.02% of its GDP – followed by Australia and South Korea, which have contributed only 0.04% and 0.05% respectively.
Iceland, Japan, the USA, and Canada are the other countries that have failed to make the top 30. There are also plenty of nations that have given nothing and don't feature in the tracker, including Russia's diehard allies and fellow global pariahs, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea.
Much to President Biden's frustration, America's latest $60 billion military support package, which was approved by the Senate on 13 February, is languishing in the House of Representatives.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson (pictured) is blocking its passage, having called the legislation – which also includes support for other US allies, such as Israel – "dead on arrival." This reflects the stance of the majority of Donald Trump's Republican supporters, who oppose sending further aid.
The US remains Ukraine's leading bilateral backer with $73 billion pledged to date, but its contribution as a share of GDP has fallen, resulting in America's exit from the tracker's top 30.
Donald Trump, who has a tendency to praise Putin while denigrating Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said he will cut "the endless flow of American treasure" to the nation if elected US president in November. He's also stated he could end the war in 24 hours, which the Ukraine PM has described as a "very dangerous" claim.
If elected, Trump has also stated he'd consider allowing Russia to "take over" part of Ukraine. This would effectively hand victory to Putin, which, according to European Council President Charles Michel, "would have devastating effects for Europe and the world."
Switzerland has been a neutral country since 1815 and has strict laws on weapons exports. As a result, its contributions to Ukraine's struggle have primarily been in the form of humanitarian and direct financial assistance.
Amid criticism last year that the nation wasn't pulling its weight, Switzerland signed off a $2 billion multi-year package. Bern's total pledges so far stand at $2.6 billion, with humanitarian aid making up the lion's share at $2.3 billion.
Ireland also prides itself on its neutrality and for this reason, Dublin's aid has been restricted to humanitarian, financial, and non-lethal military assistance. As of mid-January, the nation has promised $130 million in bilateral aid and $2 billion for the collective EU pot.
The Kiel Institute recently introduced a new allocations measure to track the gap between pledged and actual aid flows. This has revealed a cavernous gulf between EU commitments and allocations. In fact, the EU would have to double the current level and pace of military aid if the US were to pull the plug.
In total, Malta has pledged 0.50% of its GDP. The assistance that the compact island nation has contributed as part of the EU's package accounts for the vast majority of its spending, with bilateral aid amounting to just $2.2 million, which represents 0.01% of the country's GDP.
Like Switzerland and Ireland, Malta is a neutral country. In light of this, its bilateral aid is purely humanitarian, though it has also provided non-lethal military assistance via the EU in the form of mine-detecting equipment.
The UK is Ukraine's third-biggest bilateral backer in monetary terms after the US and Germany. Between the start of the war and January 15, 2024, the country has promised $16 billion.
In early January, the UK ramped up its military support to the tune of $3.2 billion and its outlay in this area now makes up $9.9 billion of the grand total.
The country has supplied tanks, air defense systems, long-range missiles, and more, as well as providing training for 30,000 members of the Ukrainian armed forces. Since the tracker was last updated, the British government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Ukraine and pledged an additional $320 million towards producing artillery shells as stocks run perilously low.
The UK is Ukraine's third-biggest bilateral backer in monetary terms after the US and Germany. Between the start of the war and January 15, 2024, the country has promised $16 billion.
In early January, the UK ramped up its military support to the tune of $3.2 billion and its outlay in this area now makes up $9.9 billion of the grand total.
The country has supplied tanks, air defense systems, long-range missiles, and more, as well as providing training for 30,000 members of the Ukrainian armed forces. Since the tracker was last updated, the British government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Ukraine and pledged an additional $320 million towards producing artillery shells as stocks run perilously low.
During the period covered by the tracker, Cyprus's total aid pledges equate to 0.58% of its GDP.
The collective EU aid pot has been the main recipient, with Cyprus's bilateral aid contribution, largely in the form of humanitarian assistance, totaling just $4.3 million, a mere 0.02% in GDP terms.
While this may sound stingy, it's the most Cyprus has ever devoted to humanitarian aid for a single country in its entire history.
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The Portuguese government has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine. Up to January 15, it had promised $83 million in bilateral assistance and $1.4 billion for the collective EU aid pool.
Dominating Portugal's efforts are its military contributions, which total $76 million – the country has provided howitzers, armored personnel carriers, and Leopard battle tanks.
Going forward, Portugal plans to spend a further $46 million on aid this year and is taking a leading role in efforts to rebuild Ukraine's damaged schools and other educational institutions.
Romania has also emerged as a staunch supporter of Ukraine – despite long-standing historical grievances and territorial disputes – by welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees and digging deep to provide aid.
Bucharest has provided around $140 million in bilateral assistance, which has chiefly been humanitarian in nature, though Romania has reportedly supplied its neighbor with Soviet-made weapons, artillery, and ammunition.
Its biggest contribution is a generous $1.66 billion for the collective EU aid pot.
France has been slammed for a lack of transparency over its aid contributions to Ukraine and the nation's support was regarded as lukewarm early in the conflict. That said, President Macron has promised to assist the embattled nation "until victory."
Paris has contributed more than $17 billion to the EU aid pot, while its bilateral assistance up to January 15, stood at $2 billion.
France's military assistance has included ground-to-air missile systems, howitzers, and armored vehicles. However, reports have suggested that the country may struggle to deliver on its commitments this year due to budgetary constraints.
Italy's EU and bilateral aid outlay amounted to $13.9 billion by January 15, with bilateral commitments making up $1.4 billion of the total.
Though Italy's direct financial and humanitarian support have both been substantial, military assistance has been its biggest outlay. The Meloni government has so far pledged $730 million in this area, having already supplied eight packages of military aid.
It's also one of a number of countries that have signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine, affirming Italy's long-term commitment to the conflict-scarred nation.
Hungary's seemingly pro-Putin PM Viktor Orbán has been a thorn in the EU's side.
The rogue right-wing populist has vetoed several of the bloc's Ukraine aid packages and also threatened to stymie Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO, only backing down after intense Western pressure.
Unsurprisingly, Hungary's bilateral aid, which has been exclusively humanitarian, totaled just $60 million up to January 15, though the country has grudgingly promised $1.2 billion to the collective EU pot.
As of January 15, Slovenia has provided Ukraine with $85 million in bilateral assistance and contributed $358 million to the EU aid pot.
The bulk of the aid has been military in nature, with the small Central European nation supplying Ukraine with personnel carriers, Yugoslav-made infantry vehicles and tanks, howitzers, and Kalashnikov-style rifles.
It's given significant humanitarian aid too, and had the favour repaid in August last year when Ukraine offered support after large areas of Slovenia were hit by devastating floods.
Greece has put $1.4 billion into the collective EU aid pot.
Its bilateral aid, which amounted to $200 million as of January 15, has been exclusively military. The Mediterranean nation has supplied infantry fighting vehicles, rocket launch systems, armored troop carriers, and air defense systems. Interestingly, it has the lowest transparency rating of the 41 countries covered by the tracker.
That said, Athens finalized a deal with Washington at the end of January, agreeing to transfer additional weapons systems to Ukraine in exchange for $200 million in US military funding.
Austria's neutral status is enshrined in its constitution and despite international criticism, the country's government has refused to provide Ukraine with bilateral lethal military aid. Nevertheless, the powers that be have permitted the transfer of EU arms and equipment bound for Ukraine through Austrian territory.
As of January 15, Austria had pledged $2.9 billion in EU aid and $880 million in bilateral assistance. Of the bilateral support, $750 million was allocated to propping up the ailing Ukrainian economy, while the remainder has gone towards humanitarian aid.
Likewise, direct financial assistance represents the biggest share of Spain's bilateral aid, making up $570 million of the $1 billion total promised up to January 15.
At $357 million, Madrid's military aid has been robust, with everything from Leopard battle tanks to anti-tank grenade launchers provided.
Spain is actually the most deep-pocketed nation when it comes to EU assistance as a percentage of GDP. The nation has devoted $11.8 billion, or 0.83% of its GDP, to the bloc's collective aid pot, which, proportionally speaking, is more than any other member state.
Belgium climbed the rankings in October when it created a $1.8 billion fund for Ukraine, bankrolled by tax revenue from interest on frozen Russian assets.
Accordingly, direct financial assistance is now the nation's biggest bilateral outlay, followed by military support at $360 million. So far, Belgium has supplied the nation with air defense missiles, torpedoes, anti-tank weapons, heavy machine guns, and a whole lot more.
Humanitarian aid stands at $112 million, with the total bilateral spend up to January 15 at $2.4 billion. Belgium has also promised $3.2 billion for the collective EU pot.
One of three European countries that have each devoted 1.05% of their GDPs, the Czech Republic significantly increased its Ukraine aid expenditure in 2023.
The country's government is focusing its bilateral support efforts on providing Ukraine with military assistance, which has included both Soviet and modern weaponry and equipment. Up to January 15, this accounted for $1.4 billion of the $1.5 billion total, with the rest going on humanitarian aid.
The Czech Republic has also devoted a further $1.5 billion to the collective EU pot.
Sweden officially became a NATO member in March 2024 and has pledged to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes." The Swedish government recently announced its 15th military aid package, its largest yet.
Indeed, military aid made up a majority of the nation's $3.2 billion bilateral aid outlay up to January 15, with anti-tank weapons, armored infantry vehicles, and other essentials all provided.
When it comes to its contribution to the EU aid pot, Stockholm has been even more open-handed, having pledged $3.4 billion.
Bulgaria has been steadily increasing its aid contributions, now equate to 1.05% of the nation's GDP, up from 1.01% last summer.
As of January 15, 2024, Bulgaria has provided $608 million for the EU pot and $270 million in bilateral aid, which has consisted almost entirely of military assistance.
In December, the country's parliament approved the government's latest military support package, comprising anti-aircraft missile systems and surface-to-air missiles. A veto imposed by Bulgaria's pro-Putin president on supplying Ukraine with 100 Soviet-era personnel carriers has also been overturned.
Croatia's bilateral contribution to Ukraine's cause stands at $300 million, which is 0.44% of its GDP. The country, which adopted the euro in January 2023, has also put $430 million into the EU's collective pot. This represents 0.62% of its yearly output, bringing Croatia's total to 1.06%.
As of January 15, military aid made up most of the bilateral outlay, with $206 million pledged; its most recent military support package was announced last August. In addition to humanitarian aid, Croatia is helping Ukraine in other ways, including assisting with its grain exports and helping the embattled nation's judiciary prosecute war crimes.
Germany is Ukraine's biggest bilateral backer after the US. Up to 15 January, Europe's largest economy had pledged $23.9 billion, of which $19.4 billion is military in nature. Humanitarian and direct financial assistance stands at $3.2 billion and $1.5 billion respectively.
Though reticent at first, Germany has gone all out to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, providing a staggering array of hardware that includes Leopard battle tanks, armored vehicles, and missiles. In late February, Berlin provided yet another formidable military aid package in the form of artillery and drones.
Another relatively new member of NATO, Finland is at the sharp end of Russia's aggression, given its geographical location.
To date, the nation has provided 22 aid packages and the government is particularly committed to supplying further military assistance in the form of ammunition and air defense material. Up to January 15, Finland's total bilateral aid outlay stood at $2.1 billion, while its contribution to the EU pool was $1.7 billion.
Relations between Poland and Ukraine hit a low point last year under the previous conservative government amid a dispute over Ukraine's grain exports. At one point, the former administration stopped the delivery of weapons to its war-ravaged neighbor.
Tensions have thankfully eased since the election of centrist Donald Tusk as prime minister in December. Tusk has placed differences aside and promised to make his country Ukraine's "most reliable" ally.
Poland has certainly shown itself to be a trusty supporter, despite the earlier spat. By 15 January, its bilateral aid amounted to $4.7 billion, while Poland's contribution to the EU pot came in at $4.2 billion.
On the flip side, Slovakia elected the pro-Russian politician Robert Fico as prime minister in October. Fico told supporters at a political rally last year that "we will not send a single round to Ukraine," and has questioned Ukraine's status as a sovereign state. He's also insisted that it must give up part of its territory to Russia in order to end the conflict.
Fico has since tempered his rhetoric, although Slovakia stopped sending military aid the day after he was elected and is now concentrating on providing humanitarian and non-lethal assistance instead.
As of January 15, the country had pledged around $750 million in bilateral support and contributed $799 million to the collective EU aid pool.
In a similar vein, far-right firebrand Geert Wilders emerged victorious in the Dutch general election in November, though he hasn't been able to form a coalition government yet.
Wilders had previously argued against sending additional military aid to Ukraine but recently backed down. Outgoing caretaker PM Mark Rutte has promised to sign a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine to ring-fence future aid.
The Netherlands has been leading the way with military assistance, "punching above its weight" in this regard, according to international affairs organization Atlantic Council. Up to January 15, the country had supplied $6.8 billion in bilateral aid and put $7.8 billion into the collective EU fund.
Vulnerable to Russia's potential imperialist ambitions, all three Baltic States feature in the top five when it comes to providing aid for Ukraine as a proportion of their GDP.
Latvia's overall contribution up to January 15, is around $670 million. The nation's bilateral aid totals $460 million, with military assistance making up much of that at $410 million.
Riga has accelerated its support for Ukraine's armed forces of late. Announced in early January, its latest package includes howitzers, anti-tank weapons, rockets, grenades, helicopters, drones, and ammunition.
Norway massively increased its bilateral Ukraine support in 2023 – arguably rightly so, since the oil and natural gas-rich nation has profited handsomely from the war due to surging commodity prices.
Last year, the Nordic nation introduced the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, which will provide the war-torn country with approximately $7.7 billion in direct financial, humanitarian, and military aid through to 2027.
For this reason, Norway's pledges up to January 15, amount to an impressive 1.72% of the country's GDP.
Lithuania's Prime Minister Ingrid Šimonytė has sworn to assist Ukraine "whatever victory takes" – and the country is certainly putting its money where its mouth is.
Up to January 15, the Baltic state pledged $1 billion in bilateral aid, with military assistance making up the majority of this at $900 million. Announced on 10 January, its most recent package, which is worth $216 million, includes armored personnel carriers, detonation systems, and ammunition.
Lithuania has also promised around $330 million to the EU aid pot and its total outlay has now surpassed 2% of its GDP.
Since November, Denmark has upped its military commitments to Ukraine by $3.8 billion, rocketing up the rankings as a result.
As of January 15, the Scandinavian country had pledged $9.6 billion in bilateral support, adding $2.6 billion in to the collective EU aid pool. The total represents a whopping 3.06% of its GDP.
Denmark's generosity appears to know no bounds: the nation's government recently unveiled a new $247 million military package and has also agreed to send its entire stock of ammunition to Ukraine. At this current rate, the country could very well end up becoming the biggest donor by share of GDP.
Officially the most benevolent donor in GDP terms, Estonia has devoted a staggering 4.09% of its annual output to Ukraine's struggle against Russia.
Up to January 15, the Baltic nation had pledged $1.3 billion in bilateral aid, as well as setting aside around $195 million for the collective EU support pool.
Military assistance makes up most of the bilateral total. The country recently dispatched its latest package, which included anti-tank missiles and machine guns, and its defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, has vowed to support Ukraine "until the victorious end."
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