US diplomats seek Ukraine exemption from Rubio's aid freeze

US diplomats are seeking urgent exemption for Ukraine from a sweeping foreign aid freeze implemented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Financial Times reports. The internal cable to the State Department and USAID obtained by FT showed Rubio’s directive suspended all new foreign aid disbursements, with a review period of up to 85 days. This freeze affects hundreds of US foreign aid contracts valued at over $70 billion in the 2022 fiscal year.

The US has provided $65.9bn in military aid to Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. President Donald Trump, who has assumed office less than a week ago, has previously promised to cut US military aid to Ukraine, recently stating he wanted to broker a deal between Kyiv and Moscow to end the war.

According to documents reviewed by FT on 25 January, senior diplomats in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs have requested a full waiver for US Agency for International Development operations in Ukraine, citing national security concerns.

USAID Ukraine office ordered to suspend all project funding, Suspilne says

An email sent to USAID staff in Ukraine on 25 January, seen by FT, indicated uncertainty about the request’s approval but mentioned “positive signals” from Washington. Initially, USAID Ukraine delayed issuing “stop work” orders to provide clarity for partners, but by 25 January evening in Kyiv, some organizations began receiving suspension notices.

One order shared with FT directed “the contractor to immediately stop work under the USAID/Ukraine contract/task order” until written notification of cancellation from the Contracting Officer.

While the directive includes exceptions for military financing for Israel and Egypt and foreign emergency food aid, it doesn’t specifically exempt Ukraine. However, a Ukrainian government official confirmed to FT that US military assistance remains unaffected by the freeze order.

On 20 January, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all US foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine their alignment with his political objectives.

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US diplomats seek Ukraine exemption from Rubio’s aid freeze