On a chilly December evening in Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a surprise for Howard Buffett, leading the philanthropist son of Warren Buffett to a plaza near the presidential palace.
There among the bricks on the “Walk of the Brave” was a plaque bearing the younger Buffett’s name, thanking him for the humanitarian assistance his charitable foundation has provided Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal invasion.
“Also on this square are people who have been with us, worked with us and helped from the first days and months,” Zelenskyy told Buffett in his familiar accented English. “You are among these world leaders — friends of Ukraine.”
Ukraine and its people have indeed had a major supporter in Omaha native Buffett. Since Russia launched its invasion two years ago this month, his Howard G. Buffett Foundation has spent more than $500 million on humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
In effect, Buffett has used a portion of the fortune amassed by his investor father to feed Ukrainians, help the nation rebuild and meet other critical needs.
To put it in perspective, Buffett’s half-billion-dollar contribution is more than some European countries have provided in combined humanitarian, military and financial aid.
In fact, looking at only humanitarian assistance, figures compiled by Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy show just seven nations worldwide have provided more such aid than Buffett: the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
With his financial assistance, Buffett has helped restore Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure and clear civilian areas and farmland of mines the Russians left behind.
He’s replaced windows blown out by bomb blasts, keeping Ukrainians in their homes.
He’s provided equipment for security officials investigating Russian war crimes.
He’s built and outfitted a rehabilitation hospital for soldiers and civilians who have lost limbs.
And at a time when some U.S. politicians’ support for Ukraine has been flagging, Buffett remains firm in his resolve. He has set aside another $300 million for Ukraine aid in 2024.
That’s the level of commitment Buffett has to a nation fighting a war that Buffett has called the most clear distinction between right and wrong he’s seen in his lifetime. He says if Russia’s Vladimir Putin is not stopped now, there will only be more threats to peace and democracy in Europe.
“I don’t know how you turn and look the other way when you see someone like Putin try to annihilate a population,” Buffett said in an interview with The World-Herald.
When it comes to Ukraine, Buffett hasn’t just sent money.
He hasn’t been afraid to stick his nose out for the country politically. During a London conference on recovery aid to Ukraine in June, he rebuked world leaders for not providing enough assistance — including military aid — to Ukraine.
“If we are so short-sighted politically not to do what we should do to support Ukraine, I think we’ll pay for it in a few years, and I think people will look back and realize the mistake,” Buffett said.
Buffett has also put his own boots on the ground in Ukraine 10 times since the invasion, wanting to see the conditions and needs himself.
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There among the bricks on the “Walk of the Brave” was a plaque bearing the younger Buffett’s name, thanking him for the humanitarian assistance his charitable foundation has provided Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal invasion.
“Also on this square are people who have been with us, worked with us and helped from the first days and months,” Zelenskyy told Buffett in his familiar accented English. “You are among these world leaders — friends of Ukraine.”
Ukraine and its people have indeed had a major supporter in Omaha native Buffett. Since Russia launched its invasion two years ago this month, his Howard G. Buffett Foundation has spent more than $500 million on humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
In effect, Buffett has used a portion of the fortune amassed by his investor father to feed Ukrainians, help the nation rebuild and meet other critical needs.
To put it in perspective, Buffett’s half-billion-dollar contribution is more than some European countries have provided in combined humanitarian, military and financial aid.
In fact, looking at only humanitarian assistance, figures compiled by Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy show just seven nations worldwide have provided more such aid than Buffett: the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
With his financial assistance, Buffett has helped restore Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure and clear civilian areas and farmland of mines the Russians left behind.
He’s replaced windows blown out by bomb blasts, keeping Ukrainians in their homes.
He’s provided equipment for security officials investigating Russian war crimes.
He’s built and outfitted a rehabilitation hospital for soldiers and civilians who have lost limbs.
And at a time when some U.S. politicians’ support for Ukraine has been flagging, Buffett remains firm in his resolve. He has set aside another $300 million for Ukraine aid in 2024.
That’s the level of commitment Buffett has to a nation fighting a war that Buffett has called the most clear distinction between right and wrong he’s seen in his lifetime. He says if Russia’s Vladimir Putin is not stopped now, there will only be more threats to peace and democracy in Europe.
“I don’t know how you turn and look the other way when you see someone like Putin try to annihilate a population,” Buffett said in an interview with The World-Herald.
When it comes to Ukraine, Buffett hasn’t just sent money.
He hasn’t been afraid to stick his nose out for the country politically. During a London conference on recovery aid to Ukraine in June, he rebuked world leaders for not providing enough assistance — including military aid — to Ukraine.
“If we are so short-sighted politically not to do what we should do to support Ukraine, I think we’ll pay for it in a few years, and I think people will look back and realize the mistake,” Buffett said.
Buffett has also put his own boots on the ground in Ukraine 10 times since the invasion, wanting to see the conditions and needs himself.
'Friend of Ukraine': Warren Buffett's son provides $500 million in humanitarian aid
The Howard G. Buffett Charitable Foundation has poured a massive amount of aid into Ukraine. Only seven countries have given more humanitarian help than the Omaha-born philanthropist.
