European aid for Ukraine rising as US stalls, Germany's IfW says

Ukraine received far more aid from Europe in recent weeks compared with the start of the year as it fights the Russian invasion for the fourth year, according to Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW).

Military, financial and humanitarian aid from Europe totalled around €20.2 billion ($23.3 billion) in March and April, according to new data released on Monday.

By comparison, the figure for January and February was around €6.7 billion.

According to the researchers, the United States has not provided any aid since February.

"It is remarkable that Europe has filled the gap," said project leader project Christoph Trebesch. "It remains to be seen whether this is a temporary spike or the beginning of a more lasting shift in Europe's role as the main supporter of Ukraine."

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Ukraine received the most financial and military support from the United States in the early stages of the war under then Democrat president Joe Biden.

At the beginning of March, the new Republican administration of Donald Trump temporarily suspended US military aid to Ukraine pending review, saying that the president's focus was on peace.

Fearing that Ukraine's defences could collapse without additional support, European leaders pledged to do more for Kiev.

However, the increase has not been evenly distributed. Countries such as the Nordics and Britain have markedly stepped up their aid, while others like Germany have maintained more moderate levels.