US terminates programmes supporting Ukraine's power grid – NBC News
The US State Department has terminated a US Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative supporting the restoration of Ukraine's energy grid after Russian attacks.
Source: NBC News, citing two USAID representatives working in the agency's mission in Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda
Quote: "It significantly undercuts this administration’s abilities to negotiate on the ceasefire, and it’d signal to Russia that we don’t care about Ukraine or our past investments. Russia is fighting a two-pronged war in Ukraine: a military one but also an economic one. They’re trying to crush the economy, but USAID has played a central role in helping it be resilient, [including] shoring up the energy grid…We’ve provided vast amount of support to the Ukrainian government to avoid a macroeconomic crisis."
Details: The USAID officials say cutting off the funding will leave Ukraine's energy grid vulnerable as it comes under renewed attack from further Russian missiles.
According to a document obtained by NBC News, the State Department has also ordered the termination of a programme aimed at "financial sector reform activity".
Background:
- On 7 February, US President Donald Trump said that corruption within USAID was "at levels rarely seen before" and therefore the agency should be abolished.
- The Trump administration later announced that it was cancelling more than 90% of USAID grants. "In total, nearly 5,800 USAID awards were terminated, and more than 500 USAID awards were retained. The total ceiling value of the retained awards is approximately US$57 billion," the administration said.
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