Zelenskyy's Office on suspension of USAID funding: US to conduct audit and return to this
Photo: Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Presidential Office (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The United States is unlikely to halt funding for humanitarian projects in Ukraine permanently. However, after an audit, it may resume funding, states Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine's YouTube channel.
Podolyak considers the US government's decision to suspend funding for all foreign aid programs for 90 days to be strange, as he believes this period is too long.
"We can only say that by suspending these programs, they risk significantly losing their influence over various societies. At the same time, other players such as China, other countries, or even Russia could increase their influence," the advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office explained.
He added that due to this situation, Ukraine is forced to turn to other partners to restore funding for numerous programs, including support for children, veterans, people with disabilities, and social initiatives. Efforts will be made to find alternative funding sources.
Podolyak emphasized that foreign policy is fundamental, and for a country to be strong, it must influence events in other nations.
"I don't see a way to dominate globally without funding a large number of humanitarian or influence programs. And the US will undoubtedly return to this. We just need to explain how important it is — calmly, without emotions," he said.
The advisor stressed that the US decision to suspend humanitarian programs is negative for Ukraine, as some of these initiatives were extremely beneficial for Ukrainians.
US decision on funding programs
On January 21, it became known that US President Donald Trump suspended all foreign aid programs for 90 days. This was done to review the programs for "alignment" with his foreign policy.
As a result, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) suspended humanitarian programs in Ukraine due to a lack of funding.
Today, consultations began in the Ukrainian parliament with European colleagues regarding the possibility of replacing the funding.
