Counted which countries up to the current frame Ukraine – Lithuania can be proud
Statista has calculated how much countries have spent on arming Ukraine, humanitarian and financial aid. It was counted from the beginning of the year until November 20. In absolute numbers, the United States leads the way. Since the beginning of the war, they have given away 50.9 billion. US adults (47.8 million euros). Half of this amount is intended for the supply of weapons from the warehouses of the world’s armies or to finance the purchase of weapons. A little more than a third — financial aid and a fifth — humanitarian.
In second place is Great Britain, which allocated 7.09 billion. euros (converted from pounds). In third place — Germany with 5.45 billion. euros. In fourth place — Canada with 3.8 billion. EUR worth of support.
However, when comparing the aid provided by the countries with their capabilities, the picture changes.
In 2022, the US GDP was estimated to be slightly more than 25 trillion US dollars (the preliminary GDP estimates are presented here below). Then America spent about 0.2 percent on Ukraine. its GDP. Bloomberg’s calculations differ from Statista’s: according to this agency’s calculations, America allocated 65 billion dollars to Ukraine throughout the year. USA. dol, but also in this case about 0.25 percent is obtained. GDP. Recalculated as a share of GDP, Great Britain spent 0.22 percent on Ukraine, Germany — 0.15 percent. GDP, and Canada – 0.18 percent. GDP.
The four countries that allocated the largest share of their GDP to Ukraine
Lithuania comes in fourth place with 0.46 percent. GDP. Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas stated that 283 million TL have already been spent. euros, about 2.8 million people live there. people, so when recalculated per inhabitant, it turns out that every Lithuanian supported Ukraine by 100 euros.
Poland is in third place – with 0.5 percent. GDP and 3 mln. EUR of aid (almost EUR 80 from each resident).
Latvia allocated 0.93 percent to Ukraine. its GDP — 320 million euros. 1.8 million people live in the country. people, that is, the “cost” of the civil war is almost 178 euros. Estonia appears to be the most generous. It has the least population of all Baltic countries – 1.3 million. Their GDP is comparable to that of Latvia (about 31 billion euros), but two and a half times lower than that of Lithuania. Tad, Estonia became the first country in the world whose aid to Ukraine crossed the psychologically important threshold of one percent. It spent 340 million euros, which is 1.1 percent. country’s GDP. Converted per inhabitant — 255 euros.
Who is helping Ukraine?
This can be clearly explained by the example of Lithuania. Back in 2014 it began supplying Ukraine with Kalashnikov assault rifles and other Soviet parts and ammunition from warehouses, and retooling its weaponry to NATO standards. Ukraine was sent not only old Soviet stocks, but also Western weapons. For example, in 2022 Lithuania announced the Stinger in January and even managed to deliver them to Ukraine by February 24.
After the start of open Russian aggression, the nomenclature of weapons will expand. A significant part of the supply was made up of 62 American M113 armored personnel carriers. They were created at the end of the fifties and produced until 2007.
Lithuania also transferred from 1941 produced 105mm howitzer M50 and M101. Ukraine also receives drones and means of combating them, PLG systems and weapons of the countries, thermal imagers and bulletproof vests (also Lithuanian). The latest shipment from Lithuania, which was completed last year, included 2.1 million. value lot of winter wear.
The problem is that Ukraine needs to replace the inventory with something – to maintain the combat readiness of the army.
For example, in September, Ukraine asked Lithuania for German self-propelled howitzers “PzH 2000”, developed in 1998. However, presidential adviser Kęstutis Budrys indicated that it would be difficult to replace it with something. So far, this technique has not been handed over to Ukraine – just like the Norwegian anti-aircraft missile complex NASAMS, which has been in the country’s arsenal since 2020.
The armament of the Lithuanian army is being updated, although not quickly. On New Year’s Eve, Lithuania agreed to purchase 18 new generation self-propelled 155 mm wheeled howitzers “Caesar Mark II” from France. They will be delivered in 2027.
It should be noted that some of the weapons supplied to Ukraine are purchased not from the state budget, but from private donations. For example, in the summer “Laisvės TV” started collecting money for the “Bayraktar” drone intended for Ukraine. 1.5 million euros were handed over to the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania to make a deal – civilians cannot buy weapons. In the end, the drone was obtained for free: the manufacturers decided to give it away. The donated funds were used to buy a weapon for “Bayraktar”, and in August it was already performing combat tasks in Ukraine.
A similar story happened with the Polish Kamikaze drones “Warmate”. The million euros collected during the “Legion Of Boom” campaign was handed over to the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania, with a request to buy 27 such drones. Another ten aircraft were donated by the Poles. Lithuania handed over all 37 drones to Ukraine.
Not just guns
Since October, Lithuania has been repairing the above-mentioned “PzH 2000” howitzers (for Ukraine, Germany). Last year, Lithuanians managed to return 12 machines to service in Ukraine. This year, the government continues to develop both in weaponry and training. in 2022 Lithuanian instructors were trained by 400 Ukrainian military personnel, in 2023 1500 are planned to be trained this year, most of the training will take place on the territory of Lithuania.
Finally, humanitarian aid should be mentioned separately. This is not only the supply of food and medicine to Ukraine, but also the reception of war refugees on its territory. Ukrainian refugees get free city transport, and homeowners who shelter Ukrainians receive compensation. By November, 8 million were paid out. euros.
There are no permanent benefits for refugees, the whole system is focused on stimulating people to look for work or start their own business. Since the beginning of the war, 2.8 million 71,500 citizens of Ukraine came to the country with a large population. Of them, 21,000 (half of all refugees of working age) have officially found employment – and they pay about 5 million. euros of taxes per month.
Ukrainians who moved from Ukraine to Lithuania in November 2022 earned 1048 euros, before taxes.
And of course, state support helps Ukraine to actively operate various charitable and volunteer organizations. For example, the Lithuanian Rifle Association, with the help of volunteers, weaves and sends camouflage nets to Ukraine. The “Strong Together” foundation is looking for people who can bring and settle refugees from the border. The “Blue/Yellow” fund of support to the Ukrainian army buys drones, clothes, cars — everything except weapons. And the aforementioned organization “Strong Together” and the National Museum of Fine Arts collected 450,000 euros in donations and sent a generator and a heater to Ukraine for the third time in January.