USAID ordered to suspend all projects in Ukraine
Photo: USAID in Ukraine has been ordered to suspend all projects (Getty Images)
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ukraine has been ordered to suspend its projects and funding. The directive was issued by the US Department of State, informs Suspilne.
According to an employee of the USAID office in Kyiv, the office is currently unsure of how the State Department's directive will be implemented or if there will be any exceptions.
USAID in Ukraine supports humanitarian programs, including school reconstruction, medical services, and repairs to critical energy infrastructure.
It is noted that Ukrainian organizations have received letters regarding the need to suspend activities funded by USAID or organizations dependent on US funding.
US freezes foreign aid
It should be noted that after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, he signed an executive order that effectively froze aid programs to other countries for 90 days. The programs will be reviewed to determine if they align with the political objectives of the Trump administration.
Additionally, the US Department of State issued a directive to freeze international aid and suspend new aid. This has led to the suspension of some humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Department of State's decision does not halt military aid to Ukraine.
According to Financial Times, diplomats have asked US Secretary of State Mark Rubio to make an exception to the executive order suspending foreign aid for USAID in Ukraine.
