USAID Halts Project Funding in Ukraine Following State Department Directive

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ukraine has received instructions to halt all projects and related expenditures. The directive follows an order from the US State Department to pause international aid programs for a 90-day audit.

This information was confirmed by a USAID employee in Kyiv, speaking to Ukraine’s public broadcaster, Suspilne. However, details on how the directive will be implemented or whether exceptions will be made remain unclear at this time.

USAID’s press office redirected media inquiries to the State Department without providing additional details.

USAID plays a crucial role in supporting various development projects across Ukraine, including:

• Reconstruction of schools,

• Provision of medical services,

• Repair of critical energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian organizations have started receiving notifications to suspend activities funded by USAID or by other entities reliant on US financing. Among them is Veteran Hub, which announced the closure of its Veteran Support Line and its hub in Vinnytsia. Co-founder Ivona Kostyna called on businesses to help sustain these projects through alternative support mechanisms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on January 25 that the directive does not affect military assistance to Ukraine. This was echoed by the Pentagon, which confirmed that defense programs remain exempt from the temporary suspension.

The 90-day pause was initiated by an executive order signed on January 20 by US President Donald Trump. The audit aims to evaluate whether existing foreign aid programs align with the administration’s policy objectives.