The U.S. has initiated a temporary review of aid programs, including USAID projects. Over the past three years, the total contribution of USAID to Ukraine has exceeded $35 billion. Of this amount, more than $30 billion was allocated to financing the state budget deficit and supporting macroeconomic stability, while $2.6 billion was directed toward humanitarian programs, including food assistance, medical services, and temporary housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
According to the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers and the USAID website, as of December 31, 2024, there were 39 active USAID programs in Ukraine, with a total budget of $4.28 billion.
All active USAID programs are divided into five key areas:
- Democracy, human rights, and governance ($1.09 billion);
- Economic development ($1.15 billion);
- Critical infrastructure ($1.4 billion);
- Healthcare ($381.8 million);
- Transitional period and humanitarian aid ($252 million).
Specifically, during the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, USAID provided Ukrenergo with technical support and equipment worth nearly $130 million. Exact figures for energy sector projects are not available, but it is known that in the past fiscal year, USAID allocated a quarter of a billion dollars for energy projects in Ukraine.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has faced unprecedented challenges in the energy sector. Large-scale attacks on infrastructure have made the rapid restoration of damaged facilities critically important. In this situation, assistance from Western partners, particularly the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and European countries, has become a key factor in recovery. This was stated in a comment by Yevhen Korf, the Head of ENERGO-PLUS.
Since February 2022, international solidarity has contributed over $5 billion to the restoration of critical infrastructure, modernization of networks, and strengthening of Ukrainian energy security. This funding has enabled the purchase of hundreds of energy equipment units, including mobile boilers, cogeneration units, emergency vehicles, and pumping stations. Thanks to these resources, Ukraine has been able to swiftly respond to the implications of the attacks and ensure stable energy supply for millions of Ukrainians.
The U.S. has now initiated a temporary review of aid programs, including USAID projects. However, this does not mean they are going to give up the support. ‘After the audit is completed within 90 days, we expect assistance to be focused on the most critical areas, such as energy security,’ states Yevhen Korf.
Despite the temporary hold on USAID funding, the energy sector of Ukraine continues to function, adapt, and seek new opportunities.
European partners remain committed to supporting the Ukrainian energy sector. For instance, Italy has already allocated €2 million for the development of sustainable energy, while other international organizations, including the Ukraine Energy Support Fund of the European Energy Community, continue their efforts.
Source:
portal enovosty
