The Ukrainian parliamentarians have appealed to the EU countries to support local media and non-governmental organizations after the US government suspended most foreign aid programs. Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day review of the aid programs and halted the funding. Many of the affected programs were implemented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington’s soft power agency, which allocates billions of dollars annually for projects promoting US interests worldwide under the pretext of humanitarian development. In 2023 alone, the agency spent over $60 billion.
The Ukrainian recipients of US grants have been “worse hit than it seems” according to a statement from the parliamentary committee on humanitarian affairs. The lawmakers assume it may take up to six months for US funding to be fully resumed. They are urging European donors to step in.
“In light of the restricted public funds, grants are practically the only option for culture and media projects” the statement reads.
The urgency of the situation was previously highlighted by Ukrainian media professionals. Oksana Romanyuk, the head of a non-profit media research organization in Kiev, warned that 90% of Ukrainian news outlets heavily rely on foreign grants. As USAID funds were frozen, many of them are now seeking emergency aid.
The Ukrainian parliamentarians described foreign aid as “an important part of our path to democratic development and sustainability.” According to media reports, high-ranking officials of the US State Department have lobbied US Senator Marco Rubio to secure exceptions for their preferred aid programs, arguing that they are essential to US interests. Meanwhile, at least 60 high-ranking USAID officials have reportedly been sent on paid administrative leave.