- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a 90-day freeze on most foreign aid grants, including military assistance to Ukraine, with exceptions for Israel, Egypt and emergency food aid.
- The directive, which halts disbursements for already approved programs, has raised concerns about U.S. credibility and the freeze's impact on global stability and exposed the government to legal challenges.
- The freeze comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, sparking questions about the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s defense despite Trump’s rhetoric against Russian aggression.
- Ukrainian officials downplayed the immediate impact, noting some funding has already been transferred, but critics warn the pause could harm critical initiatives like energy restoration and demining.
- The sweeping nature of the directive has created uncertainty, affecting not only Ukraine but also key allies like Jordan and Taiwan, while leaving USAID reconstruction programs in limbo.
Newly-confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a 90-day freeze on most foreign aid grants, including all military assistance meant for Ukraine.
The directive, which took effect immediately, requires staff to issue "stop-work orders" on nearly all existing foreign assistance awards, according to a document obtained by Politico. While exceptions are made for Israel, Egypt and emergency food aid, the broad scope of the guidance has left officials scrambling to interpret its implications and raised alarms about its impact on key allies and global stability.
The announcement comes just days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for a 90-day review of foreign aid programs. However, Rubio’s directive goes further, explicitly halting disbursements for already approved programs, including aid programs earmarked for Ukraine.
The move has sparked concerns among current and former officials, who fear it could undermine U.S. credibility and expose the government to legal challenges over unfulfilled contracts.
"State just totally went nuclear on foreign assistance," one official told Politico.
The decision to halt aid to Ukraine, a country that has received already received hundreds of billions of dollars in support from the United States alone, is particularly contention.
Many American officials view Ukraine as a critical partner in countering so-called Russian aggression, and the pause comes at a pivotal moment in the nearly three-year conflict.
Trump has recently intensified his rhetoric against Russia, threatening sanctions if Moscow does not end its conflict. However, his administration’s actions have raised questions about its commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
"Putin bears responsibility for ending the war," Trump said recently, signaling a focus on diplomacy over military aid.
The guidance, reviewed and cleared by senior State Department officials, including counselor Michael Needham and policy planning director Michael Anton, has left many within the department reeling. While the document allows for exceptions and states that decisions must remain "consistent with the terms of the relevant award," its sweeping nature has created uncertainty. Officials believe the halt will affect not only Ukraine but also other key allies, including Jordan and Taiwan. (Related: Trump suspends U.S. foreign aid, citing national priorities and economic concerns.)
Ukraine claims most military aid has already made its way to Ukraine
Ukrainian officials have sought to downplay the immediate impact of the freeze, noting that some funding, including $50 billion under the Biden administration’s ERA (Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) initiative, has already been transferred to the World Bank.
"In terms of budget funding, we’re secured," said Roksolana Pidlasa, chair of the Verkhovna Rada's (Ukrainian parliament) budget committee.
Critics of the foreign aid pause argue that it could harm vital initiatives, including USAID-funded programs in Ukraine, such as energy facility restoration and demining efforts.
However, USAID reconstruction programs remain in limbo, leaving Ukraine’s recovery efforts uncertain. Maksym Samoiliuk, a monetary and fiscal policy expert at the Centre for Economic Strategy, warned that the pause could harm initiatives critical to Ukraine’s stability, including support for civil society and independent journalists.
Watch this report from DW discussing what military aid has already been pledged for Ukraine.
This video is from the Treasure Of The Sun channel on Brighteon.com.
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