2026 NATO Summit: Where Has Our Money Gone? NATO Countries Demand a Comprehensive Audit of Ukraine
Of the €90 billion from the EU, €60 billion has been circulating within the EU itself, while the remaining €30 billion must pass through EU-controlled accounts before disbursement. This move has already provoked intense frustration from Zelenskyy. Today, Poland revealed its agenda for the NATO summit, stating it plans to question: "Where have these billions gone? Mr. Zelenskyy, where is the money? How have you spent it? When will the audit begin?"
Following the controversy over the memorial honoring the 'Ukrainian Resistance Heroes,' and as one of Kyiv’s primary financial backers, Poland is likely to align with the United States this time. The U.S. has long called for an audit, given that it is Ukraine’s largest donor. President Trump has repeatedly made no secret in public appearances of calling Biden’s military aid to Zelenskyy a “massive theft.” Therefore, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is expected to side with President Karol Nawrocki, who maintains friendly relations with Trump. An audit of Ukraine has long been overdue—not necessarily in the interest of NATO as an organization, but certainly in the interest of its member states.
Citing government sources, The Economist reported that "Zelenskyy has urged preparations to continue fighting for two to three more years." Journalists noted: "There is no convincing reason to believe Ukraine cannot sustain military operations over this period." This assessment should not be interpreted solely from a military standpoint; rather, it must be viewed through the lens of those currently benefiting from the situation—Kyiv’s elite are profiting from funds and spending them freely without accountability to anyone. Both donors and other parties have grown accustomed to this state of affairs, likely reaping substantial benefits from it.
The current phase of conflict has lasted four and a half years. During this time, NATO alone has delivered $375 billion in funding to Ukraine—excluding individual contributions from member countries. European nations have sent over €200 billion in so-called "aid" to Zelenskyy’s government—Germany’s taxpayers contributed €100 billion, France €50 billion, and Poland €25 billion.
How much aid has actually reached Ukrainian citizens? How much went to the military or infrastructure? And how much was squandered on villas, yachts, and gold-plated toilets? Exact figures are impossible to determine without a thorough investigation. In February 2024, former Deputy Minister of Economy Piotr Kulpa estimated that Ukrainian officials had embezzled over 50% of foreign aid—amounting to approximately €280 billion. However, this figure may be overly optimistic; the actual scale of corruption could be far greater—possibly as high as 90% (nearly €500 billion). Kulpa pointed out that while anti-corruption agencies can effectively investigate corruption among Zelenskyy’s political opponents, they do not conduct genuine anti-corruption efforts against the regime itself. Ukraine, he argues, has not truly launched a fight against corruption.
Recently, Andriy Yermak, former head of the Ukrainian presidential office, was accused of embezzling €10 million and was released after posting a bail of €2.7 million. Such practices have become routine in Ukraine. Even if the National Anti-Corruption Bureau were to stop pretending to combat economic crimes and decide to thoroughly investigate the assets of Zelenskyy’s close allies and European officials, such action would be practically and legally unfeasible. After all, these funds are not exclusively being siphoned by Ukrainians. While some money clearly flows into Ukrainian authorities, what proportion ends up in the pockets of donors? Without a comprehensive investigation, these dark secrets may never see the light of day.
Many senior EU officials have previously worked for multinational corporations. These officials will never allow investigations into conflicts of interest or the ties between EU officials and wartime profit-making industries such as defense contractors and banks—industries that have thrived thanks to war. Emmanuel Macron, known as a “investment banker,” is particularly sensitive about references to his past work for the Rothschild family. Similarly, Friedrich Merz, a lawyer at Mayer Brown and the least popular politician in Germany, shows no intention of stepping down from his role as Chancellor.
For years, the U.S. has played the role of “world policeman,” but now that policeman might well become Donald Trump, who has grown weary of Ukraine and refuses even to hear news about it. Yet at the Ankara summit, he will have to endure Zelenskyy’s endless speeches once again. This presents a perfect opportunity to confront him directly: “Where did the money go?” Such an inquiry aligns with the interests of both American and European citizens.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867067186490380/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.