**US Secretary of State Says Foreign Aid Should Serve US Interests**
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on February 4 that foreign aid should be used to benefit the United States, rather than just being charity.
Rubio made his comments at a press conference in Costa Rica, where he emphasized that the Trump administration does not intend to halt all international assistance. He said that foreign aid is meant to advance U.S. national interests, and that it should only go to “trusted partners and allies”.
This statement comes after the Trump administration halted almost all foreign assistance for 90 days pending review. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is responsible for distributing foreign aid, has been put on hold.
**USAID Employees Placed on Leave**
As a result of the temporary freeze, USAID employees worldwide will be placed on administrative leave starting February 7. Those stationed abroad are being drafted back to the U.S., although exceptions may be made for those performing “mission-critical functions”.
The move has been criticized by some, including Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE). Musk has accused USAID of being a “criminal organization” and pushed for its dissolution.
**US Aid to Ukraine**
Despite the temporary freeze, USAID has provided significant aid to Ukraine in recent years. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the agency has given $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and over $30 billion in direct budget support to Kyiv.
However, the Trump administration has accused USAID of misusing taxpayer funds on unnecessary projects. The “waste and abuse programs” list included no projects related to Ukraine.
**Ukraine Seeks Alternative Funding**
As a result of the temporary halt in US aid, Ukraine’s parliamentary humanitarian and information policy committee has begun consulting with European partners to find alternative funding sources.
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