Donald Trump admin freezes all foreign aid by US, including that to Ukraine; Israel and Egypt exempted
On January 25, 2025, the newly inaugurated Donald Trump administration announced a sweeping freeze on nearly all U.S. foreign aid, impacting countries including Ukraine. The only exceptions to this freeze are military and emergency food assistance for Israel and Egypt.
Scope of the Freeze: The directive halts all foreign aid programs unless explicitly approved by the administration. This includes development assistance and military aid, which has been crucial for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Internal Memo: Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an internal memo stating that “no new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved” by the administration.
Impact on PEPFAR: The freeze also affects the U.S. funding for PEPFAR, the initiative aimed at combating HIV/AIDS in developing countries, which has historically received bipartisan support.
This move aligns with Trump’s “America First” policy, emphasizing a reduction in overseas commitments to prioritize domestic interests. The freeze is expected to pause funding for several months, raising concerns among humanitarian organizations about its long-term effects on global health and development initiatives.
The decision has drawn criticism as it undermines U.S. commitments to allies like Ukraine, which has relied heavily on American support since the onset of its conflict with Russia.
