Aid Cuts in Ukraine, The Largest Recipient of USAID Funding

Sofia A. Diaz 

Staff Writer 

As President Donald Trump begins his second term in office, significant cuts in foreign assistance aid had been announced earlier this year, affecting the 177 eligible countries in 2023 that received United States aid. Ukraine faces the highest reduction at the country level among these nations. Ukrainians are already beginning to feel the impact of these aid cuts, and many are growing more concerned over the uncertainty of the future. 

Out of the 177 countries and 29 regions receiving foreign assistance aid from the U.S., Ukraine, Israel, Jordan, and Egypt were granted the most aid in 2023, says U.S. News. The total amount of aid sent to foreign nations in 2023, the most recent year that the complete data is available, was approximately $68 billion. Despite the 2023 amount being less than the $76 billion spent the year prior, Ukraine and Israel are at the top of the list. While Ukraine received $17,193,710,403 in almost fully economic aid, Israel received $3,302,860,882 in almost fully military aid, according to U.S. News. 

The recent and further updated list of USAID’s terminated and retained awards were shared with Congress, allowing for assessments and estimates to be made and broken down per each country. The Center for Global Development (CGD) estimates that Ukraine faces the largest absolute dollar cut, with approximately $1.4 billion. Furthermore, some of the largest cuts by sector are in protection, assistance, and solutions, macroeconomic foundation for growth, HIV/AIDS, agriculture, good governance, maternal and child health, and pandemic influenza and other emerging threats (PIOET), the CGD reports. 

Ukraine’s country program encountered a 15 percent cut, and while much of the aid initially received in 2023 was predominantly economic, the reduction in military aid poses a significant threat to the nation. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukraine has heavily relied on U.S. air defense systems that are cooperatively developed with Norway, such as NASAMS and Patriot batteries, says BBC News. Additionally, the U.S. granted the ability to carry out the utilization of long-range strikes made possible by HIMARS and ATACM missiles that have been very effective in protecting Ukrainians and affected cities. 

The impacts from the USAID cuts are not solely seen through military means, as Ukrainians themselves are beginning to struggle. Since 2022, Ukraine’s agricultural sector has been an important beneficiary of the awards received, as it provided many farmers with the necessary seeds, fertilizers, and finances to upkeep the agricultural system, writes RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty (RFE/RL). USAID has proven to be crucial for small and medium-sized Ukrainian agricultural enterprises during pressing times of war. 

Charities working with war veterans and their families were among the sectors receiving USAID support that are being negatively impacted by the cuts. The acting director of the Dostupno charity organization, Natalia Parkhitko, announced the organization’s suspension due to its reliance on USAID support to operate. Parkhitko told the Ukrainian Service of RFE/RL “I am now doing everything to save the team… The news was a shock.”

The effects of war in Ukraine continues to worsen, and the United Nations has grown increasingly concerned over the rise of attacks on civilians and major cuts to global funding for humanitarian crises. The global funding cuts are further reducing the UN’s capacity to provide aid for humanitarian crises like that in Ukraine, says the UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases page. Ukraine’s population is nearly 40 million people, with almost 13 million in need of humanitarian assistance resulting from the war. Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator’s Assistant Secretary General, Joyce Msuya, warned the Security Council that funding cuts pose a threat to various Ukrainian services, including support for gender-based violence and safe havens for the 640,000 women and girls that are affected. 

Women’s rights and other women-led organizations in Ukraine are jeopardized and have faced severe hardships due to the U.S. suspension of aid. Almost half of 99 surveyed organizations in Ukraine had received or were awaiting U.S. financial support at the time when the suspension of aid was announced in early 2025. Of the 99 organizations surveyed, 72 percent reported extreme disruptions that pose a threat to the continuation of emergency response and initiatives for reconstruction and development, according to UN Women. Since cuts have been made, 66 percent of these organizations are reducing their staff and are anticipating further layoffs in the coming months to accommodate unpaid invoices, rent, salaries and utilities. 

President Trump’s executive order and the halt of foreign assistance aid has left significant impact that is already widely felt by Ukranians. One of Russia’s targets that are frequently attacked, Mykolaiv, reports many humanitarian projects being paused, including organizations providing treatments for patients infected with tuberculosis and HIV. Lawfare writes that additionally, Ukrainian journalism and the rebuilding of educational facilities have also been paused, leaving the fate of numerous humanitarian organizations and projects in Ukraine at an impasse.

Image courtesy of Getty Images.