Ukraine is grappling with the immediate suspension of all U.S. foreign aid programs following a shock decision by the Trump administration. The move has effectively halted a wide range of projects overnight, from military veteran rehabilitation initiatives to independent media and anti-corruption efforts.
While it was widely anticipated that the new administration would restructure USAid, many expected a waiver for Ukraine’s most critical programs or at least a phased winding-down period. However, a “stop work” order issued last Friday has abruptly cut funding to hundreds of projects for an initial 90-day review period. Reports indicate that Kyiv’s USAid office attempted to secure exemptions for essential initiatives but was met with rejection in Washington.
“They requested a waiver for some of the things they considered critical but didn’t get it,” said a source familiar with the discussions. “It’s clear that the new administration wants to dismantle existing structures and build something entirely different.”
Zelenskyy’s Response and Alternative Funding Efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that his government would prioritize crucial USAid-funded programs and explore alternative funding sources.
“There are programs like those for prosthetic limbs or specialized rehabilitation, which obviously can’t just be ended abruptly. There will be a prioritization,” said Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy, in an interview on Wednesday.
Impact on Veterans and Humanitarian Efforts
Although military aid and direct budgetary assistance remain unaffected, USAid has provided over $7.6 billion (£6.11bn) in humanitarian and development aid since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The suspension of funding has left organizations scrambling to fill the void.
“This was the worst-case scenario,” said George Chewning, executive director of US-Ukraine Veterans Bridge, an organization fostering connections between military veterans in both nations. He noted that many partner organizations in Ukraine suddenly discovered their projects were no longer viable. Veteran Hub, for example, announced the closure of a vital hotline that had offered support and counseling to traumatized veterans.
“A lot of people expected a thorough review and were prepared to justify their work, but no one anticipated an immediate funding halt,” Chewning added.
The timing of these cuts is particularly concerning, as Trump’s push for negotiations to end the war could lead to the demobilization of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian veterans who will need reintegration support.
“All our partners are now desperately seeking alternative funding, which was already difficult to secure,” he said.
Regional Aid Projects in Limbo
USAid also managed numerous regional humanitarian aid programs, many of which now face uncertainty.
“It’s a blow to our morale … Do we wait for their continuation? Do we redirect these projects to other agencies? We don’t really know what to do,” said Vitalii Lukov, deputy mayor of Mykolaiv, a city heavily dependent on international aid since suffering severe damage in the war.
With the 90-day review period underway, the fate of these critical projects—and the communities they serve—remains uncertain.