Ukraine is crushing Russia using a fraction of American defense spending

Here’s what we learned from a bipartisan visit to Kyiv

Here’s what we learned from a bipartisan visit to Kyiv

On August 23rd, a bipartisan group of American senators met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders to affirm U.S. support for the embattled country.

A trio of senators

Senators Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren, and Lindsey Graham received updates on the wartime situation in Ukraine according to a report from the Washington Examiner.

Thanks from Zelensky

"I thank President Joseph Biden, both parties and chambers of the Congress, and the American people for standing with Ukraine," Zelensky wrote in a post-meeting tweet.

A vital coalition

"U.S. support for Ukraine's F-16s coalition is vital,” the Ukrainian President continued, referencing comments made by Senator Blumenthal about Kyiv’s need for F-16 fighters.

Ukraine needs F-16s

Senator Blumenthal said in a post-meeting press conference that Ukraine needed F-16 fighter jets and more long-range artillery as soon as possible in order to defeat Russia.

Screenshot from Twitter @ZelenskyyUa

Slow but close to a breakthrough

The senator also commented on the state of Ukraine's counter-offensive saying: “It may be slow going and difficult… but it is solid steady progress with a real prospect of a significant breakthrough. This is a crucial moment.”

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons

Fighting for democracy

Senator Elizabeth Warren was equally as enthusiastic about the situation unfolding and said that Ukrainian soldiers were fighting for democracy on the front lines in a battle for the country’s freedom.

Screenshot from Twitter @ZelenskyyUa

Ukraine’s freedom is still under threat

“The freedom of the Ukrainian people remains under extraordinary threat, and on the eve of Ukrainian National Independence Day, I am glad to speak firsthand with those on the ground in order to help Ukrainians in need,” Warren explained.

Screenshot from Twitter @ZelenskyyUa

Weapons used effectively

However, the real news came from the comments made by Senator Graham, who noted that the weapons the U.S. had already provided Ukraine were being used “effectively.”

Russia’s combat power was crushed

“The combat power of the Russian Army has been reduced by fifty percent. All the while we have not lost one American soldier in Ukraine.” Graham continued.

Little cost to the U.S.

The Senator from South Carolina also said that the United States had only spent 3% of its annual defense budget aiding Ukraine in its struggle against the Kremlin’s invasion.

America’s best investment

"This is the best investment for American security ever; Ukraine is a fantastic partner — we have not seen such a partner since Churchill," Senator Graham explained.

U.S. intelligence made an error

Graham also noted that U.S. intelligence had made an error and greatly overestimated Russia’s military strength prior to the invasion of Ukraine according to a report from The New Voice of Ukraine.

Kyiv was supposed to fall in four days

“When the Russian invasion began, we were told that Kyiv would fall in four days, and the country — in three weeks,” Graham said. “This was the biggest misunderstanding of Ukrainians and overestimation of the Russian army by our intelligence.”

Why the visit to Kyiv?

The trio of senators were visiting Ukraine to discuss the oversight of American weapons shipments to the country and also met with American Embassy Staff, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, and officials from the country’s National Bank.

Screenshot from Twitter @ZelenskyyUa

America’s assistance so far

The Washington Post reported at the beginning of August that Kyiv has been given $60 billion in aid from the United States, including $43 billion in military aid.