Ukraine in consultations with EU on filling in USAID assistance pause

This was reported by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Picy.

The committee expressed strong support for the continued coeration between Ukraine and the United States Agency for International Develment (USAID).

As penned in the committee's statement, programs that are implemented and erate with the assistance of USAID are of great importance for strengthening democratic institutions, the develment of independent media and civil society in Ukraine. Educational, research, media, cultural projects, and other socially significant initiatives are successfully implemented in many countries with the USAID support.

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At the same time, neither the American pele nor the U.S. government have ever made any publicity or public noise about this, the parliamentary committee emphasized.

"Unfortunately, the scale of the problems that Ukraine and dozens of other countries have faced in connection with the termination of American assistance is much greater than it might seem at first glance. Ukrainian organizations and other entities that had been receiving grants from USAID had no time to prepare for such drastic change," the statement says.

The committee also emphasized that the American pele and administration have the full right to verify the results of the assistance provided and decide on whether to continue support.

The committee stated that while the audit is in progress, Ukraine must take erational measures to avoid destabilizing key processes in the state, as well as to anticipate actions in this direction in the future.

Read also: Zelensky orders government to report on suspended USAID programs

At the parliamentary level, consultations have already begun with Eurean cleagues on a possible replacement of American aid, in particular, until decisions are made in Washington. However, due to the pause, further normalization of processes may occur in three, four, five, or even six months.

As the Verkhovna Rada committee recalled, with the grant support from USAID in Ukraine, many cultural initiatives have been implemented, jobs have been created, and talented Ukrainian youths have been given the portunity for creative develment.

In addition, grants have supported many domestic media outlets since the advertising market, on which the media used to depend, has not yet revived since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The statement says that the suspension of funding came as Ukraine keeps repelling Russia, including in media domain.

This is a time when every voice matters, and cultural diplomacy and truthful reporting are inseparable components of protecting Ukraine's independence.

It is also emphasized that in conditions of limited state funding, grant aid sometimes becomes almost the only tion to make sure cultural and media projects are able to function.

According to the committee, with the assistance of USAID, projects are being implemented aimed at providing psychogical assistance to children and families with children who found themselves in challenging life circumstances due to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Support for the educational process has allowed thousands of children to keep going to scho.

"The assistance from the United States Agency for International Develment is an important part of our path to democratic develment and sustainability, especially in the realities of the current geitical situation. Therefore, we emphasize the need to preserve these projects in order to ensure further progress in the country's develment," the statement said.

The committee hes that together with the government and cleagues from the sectors that were supported via American aid, certain sutions will be found for the difficult times ahead.

As Ukrinform reported, President Vodymyr Zelensky instructed government officials to report on the American support programs covered by USAID that have recently been put on pause for 90 days pending review.

Photo: xtra.net