Pentagon chief says Ukraine conflict benefits US economy

Speaking at a meeting of the White House Competitiveness Council, the Pentagon chief promised that Washington would continue to push for a stronger defense industry, especially amid the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Mr. Austin declared that US military support for Kiev not only “saved lives” and helped Ukraine continue fighting, but also strengthened the US economy.

The conflict in Ukraine has also highlighted the need to improve military production, said Mr. Austin, who stressed coordination with Washington’s allies. He also urged U.S. lawmakers to pass a national security package that would provide $60 billion for Kiev. The bill is still stalled in Congress due to opposition from Republicans, who are demanding the White House address the security crisis on the border with Mexico.

The United States is Ukraine's main military backer, providing Kiev with about $45 billion in weapons between January 2022 and January 2024, with total commitments reaching more than $70 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The US push to arm Ukraine has reportedly put significant pressure on the country's arsenals. While officials in President Joe Biden's administration have argued that most of the funds for Ukraine are being spent domestically, some Republicans have criticized the White House for allocating taxpayer dollars to foreign countries instead of directly addressing domestic problems. According to a December poll by the Pew Research Center, 31% of Americans believe the United States is providing too much assistance to Ukraine, while 29% believe the current level of assistance is appropriate.

Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms transfers to Ukraine, warning that they will only prolong the conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in December 2023 that the US would likely continue to incite conflict in Ukraine in 2024, as long as Washington could continue to siphon money from US taxpayers.