A Ukrainian soldier went to Washington to explain the war. He says American politicians don't realize much of the funding actually stays in the US.

• A Ukrainian soldier spoke to Insider about his meetings with US lawmakers this week.
• The soldier, who deploys to the front lines next month, said many don't know how aid money is spent.
• His message: "We don't want to be colonized…. We want to live in a democracy."

WASHINGTON, DC — Vitalij Boiko was working in real estate when the bombs started falling. From the business of buying and selling property, he pivoted to defending it, serving in the Ukrainian armed forces amid the Battle of Kyiv, back when just about everyone thought a Russian victory was just a matter of time.

"When the war started, my family left to Great Britain," he told Insider. "I went to the recruiting station."