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UN agencies in Ukraine prohibited from signing documents on US financing — El Pais

According to the newspaper, Washington’s decision has impacted numerous UN projects

MADRID, February 4. /TASS/. UN institutions in Ukraine, given the situation surrounding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have received an internal notice instructing them not to sign any new documents involving financing from the US, El Pais reported, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, Washington’s decision has impacted numerous UN projects. In some cases, for instance, those related to human rights, 80% of the financing was coming from USAID. Some NGOs in Ukraine have already informed the UN that they have sent their staff home due to the inability to pay them anymore.

It is noted that the UN mission in Ukraine is currently assessing which projects are critically important to retain despite financing issues. According to the newspaper’s sources, children-related programs will remain unaffected. El Pais emphasized that the suspension of US aid particularly impacts the cultural sphere and media outlets - over 100 organizations in these fields have been left without resources.

During his election campaign, recently elected US President Donald Trump promised that he would resolve the Ukraine conflict within a short timeframe. At that time, many experts expressed concerns about the potential sharp reduction of US financial aid to Ukraine in the event of Trump’s victory. Then, Vladimir Zelensky commented that if Washington cuts off its assistance to Kiev, it must fall on EU countries.

Earlier, Politico reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had suspended spending on nearly all foreign aid programs for 90 days. Any decisions to continue, alter, or stop foreign aid funding will be made after review by the top US diplomat. Reuters later reported that USAID had paused projects related to providing assistance to Ukraine.