**USAID Stops Funding Ukraine’s Energy Grid Restoration**
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has stopped funding efforts to restore Ukraine’s energy grid. This move was made before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United States.
A USAID official told NBC News that this decision “significantly undercuts” the US government‘s ability to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia. The official also said it would send a message to Russia that Ukraine is not important to the US or its past investments in the country.
**Russia Continues to Target Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure**
Ukraine’s energy minister, Herman Halushchenko, has reported that Russia has launched over 30 mass strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since its full-scale invasion began three years ago. Each attack involves hundreds of munitions targeting power generation facilities, substations, and gas infrastructure.
Material losses from these attacks have been estimated in the billions of dollars. Despite these challenges, Ukraine is working to secure alternative funding sources for critical programs previously supported by USAID.
**Ukraine Finds Alternative Funding Sources**
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has said that Ukraine is already identifying urgent funding for recovery efforts, energy resilience, and cyber defense projects. She added that negotiations are ongoing with other countries to find new sources of funding for these critical initiatives.
The termination of USAID’s funding for Ukraine’s energy grid restoration comes as the country continues to face challenges in its efforts to resist Russia’s aggression.