**US Agency Halts Ukraine Projects Amid 90-Day Aid Freeze**
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been told to stop its projects in Ukraine. This is due to a 90-day freeze on foreign aid imposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The order was made public on January 26 by Ukrainian media Suspilne.
**Immediate Effect**
The directive took effect immediately on January 24, leaving many aid agencies unsure about what to do next. USAID and other agencies were told to stop work on existing projects while the US reviews its foreign aid programs.
**No Waiver for Ukraine**
Initially, senior diplomats at the State Department asked for a full waiver to exclude USAID operations in Ukraine from the freeze. They cited national security concerns as the reason. However, an anonymous USAID employee told Suspilne that the agency was still ordered to halt its projects and spending on them.
**Consequences**
USAID is heavily involved in Ukraine’s wartime needs and has provided over $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and $30 billion in direct budgeting support since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Some of the projects that USAID funds have already had to pause their work.
**Impact on Ukraine**
The freeze has left hundreds of foreign aid contracts valued at over $70 billion in limbo as a review process unfolds over the next 85 days. Ukrainian officials and NGOs are warning that this could jeopardize critical initiatives, including support for schools, hospitals, and infrastructure development.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com