Scale of problems Ukraine faces due to termination of US aid much greater than it might seem – Rada humanitarian committee

The scale of the problems that Ukraine has faced due to the suspension of funding for projects and programs by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is much greater than it might seem.

This is indicated in a statement by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"Unfortunately, the scale of the problems that Ukraine and dozens of other countries have faced due to the termination of American aid is much greater than it might seem at first glance. Ukrainian organizations and other entities that received grants from USAID did not have time to prepare for such drastic changes," the statement says.

The committee emphasizes that the programs that are implemented and operate with the assistance of USAID are of great importance for strengthening democratic institutions, the development of independent media and civil society in Ukraine.

The committee notes that while the U.S. audit of the programs continues, Ukraine should take operational measures to avoid destabilizing key processes in the state, as well as anticipate its actions in this direction in the future.

"At the parliamentary level, consultations have already begun with European colleagues on a possible replacement of American aid - at least for the time being, until final decisions are made in Washington. However, due to the pause, further normalization of processes may take three, four, five, or even six months," the statement says.

The committee hopes that, together with the government and colleagues from sectors that were supported by American aid, it will be able to find certain solutions for the nearest, most difficult times.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych noted that the suspension of U.S. aid to Ukraine in the social sphere is not critical yet.

At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed government officials to report on those American support programs that are currently suspended.

On January 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States for the second time. Immediately after taking office, Trump signed a number of high-profile executive orders, including temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days to review their compliance with the new administration’s policy goals.

The National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation denied that Trump’s suspension of U.S. international aid concerned military aid to Ukraine, noting that Trump’s order concerned international aid under the “Development Programs,” which relate to the activities of UN agencies, peacekeeping initiatives, and refugee support programs.

The USAID Ukraine office was ordered to suspend all projects.