Ukraine has called on the European Union to step in and provide financial assistance to local media, NGOs, and humanitarian projects following the United States’ suspension of most foreign aid programs. The move comes after President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day review of US aid schemes, halting the flow of funds that had been crucial for numerous Ukrainian institutions.

The decision to freeze US foreign aid has sent shockwaves through Ukraine’s media and civil society sector. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which allocated over $60 billion in 2023 alone, has been the backbone of funding for various projects in Ukraine. USAID’s assistance was particularly instrumental in financing independent media, cultural initiatives, and educational programs.

The Ukrainian parliamentary committee on humanitarian affairs issued a statement on January 29, warning that the impact of the suspension is “worse than it may seem.” Lawmakers expect that it could take up to six months before US funding resumes, leaving a significant gap in financial support. They have urged European nations to intervene, stating that grants are “virtually the only way for cultural and media projects to function.”

The dependency of Ukrainian media on foreign grants has been a long-standing issue. Oksana Romanyuk, executive director of a Kyiv-based media research non-profit, recently underscored the precarious situation, revealing that up to 90 percent of Ukrainian news outlets heavily rely on foreign funding. With USAID operations frozen, many of these outlets are now........

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