According to a report by Politico, the State Department under Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suspended military aid to Ukraine for a period of 90 days. This decision shocked officials within the State Department. The halt on spending applies to most foreign aid grants, with military funding for Egypt and Israel continuing. Rubio’s directive, which took effect immediately, requires all diplomatic staff to issue “stop-work orders” on nearly all existing foreign assistance awards.
This guidance goes beyond a recent executive order from former President Donald Trump, which also called for a pause in foreign aid, but did not clarify its impact on funds already allocated, specifically regarding Ukraine. The suspension means that no further actions will be taken to dispense aid already approved by the U. S. government.
This marks a significant change from the past few years during the Biden administration, which allocated nearly $200 billion in aid and military assistance to Ukraine in response to Russia's full-scale invasion. For instance, an $8 billion military aid package was announced in September 2024 during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington. Overall, Congress has approved nearly $175 billion in aid for Ukraine since the war began, benefiting various sectors including refugees, law enforcement, and independent media. Many countries, especially NATO and EU members, are also contributing aid to Ukraine.
The internal shock within the State Department reflects a notable shift in U. S. foreign policy, especially in light of the ongoing economic challenges faced by Americans at home.
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