With a history of substantial assistance already provided to Ukraine, totaling $113 billion, the recent passage of a controversial foreign aid bill by the Senate (which allocates an additional $60 billion to Kyiv) has once again thrust the issue into the limelight. The legislation, however, has stalled in the House amid weariness among an American populace tired of billions of dollars going to other countries while people at home remain in need. Critics point to a lack of oversight and auditing mechanisms for how the aid is spent, fueling suspicions that Ukraine funding is being siphoned by shadowy entities. Recent polling underscores a prevailing sentiment among Americans, with a majority opposing more funding for Ukraine. Nonetheless, America’s political establishment remains committed to continued support to the regime of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, is sounding the alarm on what he perceives as a colossal money-laundering enterprise veiled under the guise of foreign aid. During a recent address, Kennedy said that billions of dollars being transferred to Ukraine are going right back into the coffers of U.S. companies. “The entire budget for EPA is $12 billion. So that's all we have for the environment in this country. We're giving 12 times that to Ukraine in one year,” he said during a recent speech. “And that's just the beginning because even if the Ukraine war ended today, we're still gonna spend a half a trillion there rebuilding the country,” said Kennedy, who was speculated to be under consideration as a potential vice president pick for former President Donald Trump. “The contracts to rebuild it are even bigger than the war contracts.” Kennedy noted that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was asked last March about budget deficits and whether the U.S. can actually afford $113 billion in outlays to a foreign country for their wars. “He said, ‘Don’t worry, it’s not really going to Ukraine. It’s going to U.S. military contractors, so it’s good for our country,’” Kennedy told the crowd, which responded with laughter. “He just admitted exactly what we’ve all been saying — that it’s all just a money laundering scheme for Raytheon, General Dynamics, Boeing, and Lockheed,” he added. “Who do you think owns every one of those companies?” Kennedy asked. “BlackRock.”As the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia drag on, the debate over financial aid to Kyiv has ignited a fresh wave of contention on Capitol Hill.
Loading...
According to the company's 2023 annual report, aerospace & defense account for 99.5 percent of total investments.
Over the past decade, the company says it has received cumulative total returns of more than 157 percent.
Among BlackRock's ten largest holdings are Boeing (17.7 percent), RTX, formerly Raytheon (17.1 percent), Lockheed Martin (7.8 percent), Northrop Grumman (5 percent), and General Dynamics (4.9 percent).
