EU and NATO not in panic over US aid to Ukraine – Ukrainian Minister
Photo: Olha Stefanishyna (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The European Union and NATO remain calm amid uncertainty regarding future US assistance to Ukraine. There is an understanding that Ukraine's financial capacity for 2025 is secured, stated the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna, DW reports.
"I can note that there is no panic, no particular anxiety; there is an understanding that Ukraine is financially secured for 2025. NATO has also taken over the coordination of military aid, so we will not face major disruptions in this regard. There is a feeling that 2025 will be decisive, and accordingly, the EU is ready to make every effort to ensure that it is successful for Ukraine," said Stefanishyna.
She emphasized that NATO’s mission to coordinate military aid to Ukraine, NSATU, could be fully operational as early as February.
"It has already partially taken over the coordination, and in fact, this creates sufficient conditions for Ukraine to feel more or less secure," added the Deputy Prime Minister.
US suspends USAID funding
On January 21, US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid programs to review them for alignment with his foreign policy.
By January 24, the US Department of State issued an order to halt operations for all existing foreign aid and ceased issuing new aid.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) branch in Ukraine also suspended its projects and funding.
According to Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Head of the Office of the President, the US is likely to resume foreign aid programs, as it remains beneficial for them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that key humanitarian programs in Ukraine will continue using domestic funds. This is a necessary step after the US halted its funding.
