Ukraine reels from ‘worst-case scenario’ suspension of US foreign aid

USAid pause affects projects such as veteran rehabilitation, independent media and humanitarian assistance

Ukraine is reeling from the shock decision by the Trump administration to pause all US foreign aid programmes immediately, as a variety of projects in the country - from military veteran rehabilitation programmes to independent media and anti-corruption initiatives - have effectively been stopped overnight.

It was seen as inevitable that the incoming administration would overhaul USAid, the US development agency, but there was an expectation that spending on Ukraine, or at least some of the most critical programmes, would be subject to a waiver - or there would at least be a winding-down period.