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US suspends all humanitarian aid projects in Ukraine

TH (according to VNA) January 27, 2025 19:30

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has stopped all civilian projects in Ukraine.

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Ukrainian people evacuated from war zone

The move comes after US President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid. However, President Zelensky said military aid would not be affected.

USAID has ordered an immediate halt to all projects in Ukraine, following a directive from the US State Department to freeze most foreign aid for 90 days, Ukrainian newspaper Suspilne reported on January 26, citing sources within the agency.

The move is part of US President Donald Trump's strategy to overhaul US funding abroad, affecting a range of US-backed initiatives around the world.

USAID's Kiev office has received formal instructions to suspend funding and operations across Ukraine, but there is no specific information on whether some programs will be exempted, nor how long the freeze will last.

The agency's press office declined to comment, referring all inquiries to the US State Department.

The suspension affects a number of US-funded civilian programs, including energy infrastructure repairs, school reconstruction and medical assistance. Several Ukrainian organizations that rely on US aid have been notified that their projects will be suspended.

Among them, the nonprofit Veteran Hub, which supports Ukrainian veterans returning from the war, has been hit hard. Its co-founder, Ivona Kostyna, posted on Facebook on January 26 that the organization would have to close its veterans support line and center in Vinnytsia, and appealed to local businesses and donors for help.

The decision to suspend aid stems from an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, suspending nearly all US foreign assistance for 90 days for review.

The decision has raised concerns among Ukrainian and European leaders, as Washington has been one of Kiev's biggest donors since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in 2022.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that military aid from the US will continue. Speaking on January 25, he reaffirmed that Ukraine is still receiving defense support from the US.

The Pentagon also confirmed that the aid freeze does not apply to military aid. However, there are concerns about the long-term impact of the review of foreign aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that US diplomats in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs had urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to exempt Ukraine from the aid freeze. However, as of January 25, no exemption had been granted.

This aid freeze not only impacts projects in Ukraine but also raises major questions about America's long-term commitment to supporting allies and partners globally.

TH (according to VNA)
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US suspends all humanitarian aid projects in Ukraine