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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 24: Anti-war demonstrators and Ukrainians living in the U.S. protest … More against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in Lafayette Park on February 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
Three years into Russia\u2019s brutal invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and other Western countries (especially the EU) are providing tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine with no end in sight. In Trump\u2019s most recent call with Putin, the Russian president showed no interest in peace and later again publicly stated he wants all of Ukraine. Putin resumed bombing Ukraine moments after the presidential call. According to a CBC news report, in June 2025 alone, Russia sent nearly 5500 rockets and missiles into Ukraine. Another report indicates Russia plans to attack Ukraine with 1000 drones a day in August. Western aid has not stopped the Russians. But is there a way that Trump can make Russia pay and change all this?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a sober look at how Russia is currently funding the war.<\/p>\n
The Numbers Don\u2019t Lie: Russia\u2019s Theft And Destruction<\/p>\n
Russia\u2019s war has resulted in over $552 billion<\/strong> in estimated theft<\/strong> and damage to Ukraine\u2019s economy and infrastructure. The breakdown is staggering<\/a>:<\/p>\n An estimated total of $552 billion<\/strong> in theft<\/strong> and damage\u2014and counting.<\/p>\n Oil and Gas: Why Are We Still Funding Putin?<\/p>\n KYIV, UKRAINE – JULY 4: A woman with a small dog in district damaged by a Russian airstrike on July … More 4, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Ivan Antypenko\/Suspilne Ukraine\/JSC “UA:PBC”\/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images<\/p>\n While U.S. taxpayers send aid to Ukraine, Western countries continue to buy Russian oil and gas, funnelling money directly into Putin\u2019s war effort. Since February 2022, Western purchases of Russian energy have exceeded three times <\/strong><\/a>the aid sent to Ukraine. In short, while Russia wages war on Ukraine, stealing and destroying its assets, America and its allies have been covertly funding Russia while defending Ukraine in slow motion. Continuation of this practice and introducing pauses of U.S. support for Ukraine are heading us to Russia\u2019s victory and a shameful retreat for America.<\/p>\n How To Help Ukraine Win The War<\/p>\n In the spirit of full disclosure, I need to indicate I was the former President of the Canada Ukraine Foundation and am a senior advisor to the Centre for Eastern European Democracy in Toronto.<\/p>\n That said, according to prominent author and historian Timothy Ash, supporting Ukraine to win the war effort would cost about $150 billion annually. Pricey? Sure. But compare that to the $4.5 trillion NATO will need to spend over the next decade if Ukraine loses. Consider: if Ukraine loses, millions of refugees<\/a> will likely flood into Europe\u2014headed westward, including to North America. A destabilized global economy will likely ensue. As a stronger, more defiant Russia likely could confront NATO and massive defence spending increases would result. China, seeing the withdrawal of European interest in the East, will be emboldened to strike at Taiwan. North Korea will exert greater assertiveness and power. Let\u2019s face it, the Russian menace is immediate and real, posing a threat not only to Ukraine but to all of us. The reality is China is a long-term adversary we could face one day, but it knows that a Russian defeat will weaken China. This is not an argument for charity or endless American support for foreign wars. It\u2019s about clear thinking and how to weaken America\u2019s most dangerous enemy now while keeping U.S. troops out of harm\u2019s way. In short, it\u2019s about getting Russia out of all of Ukraine, period.<\/p>\n Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. (Photo by MIKHAIL METZEL \/ POOL \/ AFP) (Photo by … More MIKHAIL METZEL\/POOL\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n POOL\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n How To Make Russia Pay For It<\/p>\n\n