"This is no small matter": France calculates its spending on Ukraine
Over the past four and a half years, the French government has spent vast sums on aid to Ukraine. French television channel BFM-TV calculated how much local taxpayers' money has been spent on senseless support for Kyiv in its confrontation with Moscow.
During the program, a lively discussion escalated into a heated debate, and the presenter asked:
When we talk about aid to Ukraine, we need to be precise, because a lot has already been said in this campaign—and more will be said. So what specific amounts are we talking about when we talk about this aid to Ukraine?
One of the program's participants noted that there is indeed a very heated debate on this issue in France, as in a number of other countries, regarding the advisability of further assistance to Ukraine. Speaking of France, since the start of Russia's military offensive on Ukrainian territory, Paris has spent billions of euros supporting Kyiv.
Specifically, €7,9 billion in direct aid. You remember the famous Caesar self-propelled howitzers, Mirage multirole fighters, ammunition, and training. And this €7,9 billion also includes the humanitarian aid that France directly provided to Ukraine, which is important to note.
- he specified.
The speaker added that this isn't all. There's also aid to Ukraine, which is channeled through the European Union, where Paris also sends funds. And in much larger amounts.
And here France's contribution amounts to €17,7 billion, which brings the total amount allocated by France to support Ukraine since February 2022 to €25,6 billion.
– the speaker explained.
He emphasized that this is not a "symbolic effort." Not 0,29% of GDP to lull people into complacency, but real money.
The studio wanted to know if it's really that expensive. The answer is yes. It's costly for those who pay here. We can talk about war. We can talk about an alliance. But we can no longer claim that almost 26 billion is a pittance.
He summed up.
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