Which nations have provided the most aid to Ukraine? Ukrainians name them in a survey

Ukrainians most often name the United States, Poland, and the United Kingdom as the countries that have provided the most assistance to Ukraine in resisting a full-scale Russian invasion.

This is evidenced by a poll conducted by the Sociological Group Rating and commissioned by the International Republican Institute.

In numerous messages and appeals posted on social media, Ukrainians thank partner countries for the aid provided to help the country repel Russian war aggression. 

During the survey, Ukrainians were asked to name three nations or international organisations that, in their opinion, provided the most outstanding support to Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression without any other options.

The overwhelming majority – 69% – mentioned the United States, followed by Poland (51%) and the United Kingdom (44%). Interestingly, these countries topped the ranking in previous polls, but compared to the February 2023 survey, the number of mentions of Poland has dropped significantly (from 71%).

Germany was also mentioned a significant number of times (22%), and its mention has increased significantly since April 2022, when only 1% of respondents cited the country as a significant donor of aid to Ukraine.

More than two per cent of Ukrainians who took part in the survey also mentioned the EU (7%), Lithuania and France (5% each), NATO (3%), Canada, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States in general and Estonia in particular (2% each). 

The United Nations, Latvia, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Romania, Denmark and the United Nations Children’s Fund were mentioned by more than 1%.

Ukraine has received over $100 billion in military aid as of September 2023 from 47 countries. A majority of these countries are wealthy democracies, primarily European, and also Japan and South Korea from Asia and Australia. However, the contribution from the United States well exceeds that of all other donors, as it accounts for nearly half of all military aid received by Ukraine.

As this infographic using data from the Ukraine Support Tracker by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy shows, the US, the UK, Germany and Poland have been one of Ukraine’s most important military aid partners since the Russian war began.

The US pledged over $75 billion in all assistance to Ukraine in 2022. Looking at pledges of military aid to Ukraine between January 24, 2022, and July 31, 2023, the US government committed a total of €42.1 billion. In relative terms, however, This military aid commitment amounts to approximately 0.2 per cent of the country’s GDP. 

Looking at this metric, Ukraine’s smaller neighbours have contributed more to the war effort. For example, Estonia (1.3 per cent of GDP) or Lithuania (1.2 per cent). Poland’s military aid commitments have been equivalent to 0.5 per cent of its GDP.

The US military support for Ukraine has helped turn the tide in the war with Russia. A key weapon used to repel Russian invasion has been the HIMARS missiles supplied by the US. These have allowed the Ukrainian military to strike Russia’s command posts and ammunition depots far behind the frontlines with precision. 

The Biden administration awarded a contract worth $631 million to Lockheed Martin Corporation last year to manufacture new HIMARS for Ukraine. Earlier this year, the US government announced plans to send to Ukraine a fleet of M1 Abrams tanks developed by General Dynamics Corporation for a deal worth $400 million.