Zelenskyy explains how Ukraine will support important projects without US assistance
29 January 2025 22:49
During a video address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the results of a report on critical programs that were suspended due to a pause in US support. He noted that Ukraine will intensify the search for domestic resources and negotiations with Europe after the suspension of US funding, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to the President, government officials and representatives of the Presidential Office, including Oleksiy Kuleba and Viktor Mykyta, have already presented a preliminary analysis of the situation. Zelenskyy instructed to introduce alternative financing of some key areas from domestic resources and intensify dialogue with European partners.
“I have already instructed to do some key things at our own expense, as well as to talk to the Europeans,” the president said.
Zelenskyy also emphasized the need to audit suspended programs. Particular attention will be paid to humanitarian, security, and social initiatives to ensure that citizens are supported while waiting for new decisions from the United States.
Among the suspended projects discussed at the meeting, the President highlighted
- development of distributed generation;
- support for veterans, including the creation of veteran hubs and business projects;
- construction of modern border crossing points and modernization of port infrastructure;
- programs of the Ministry of Health;
- cybersecurity initiatives.
According to him, Ukraine intends to more actively raise domestic funds to support these areas.
“We are doing all of this,” Zelenskyy summarized.
Earlier, the President of Ukraine also instructed government officials to report on the US support programs that are currently suspended and determine which of them are critical and need to be addressed now. According to him, part of this funding can be provided through public finances, and part will be discussed with European and American partners.
What preceded this
The United States suspended funding for all USAID projects in Ukraine for 90 days. IDPs, energy, small business, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and independent media, including Diya and Suspilne, are under attack.
Last year, USAID allocated more than $5 billion to Ukraine, but all programs are currently on hold. At the same time, according to government officials, the White House’s decision will not affect the state budget or the Ministry of Finance’s expenditures.
Ukrainian organizations and local governments are being notified to suspend their activities. In Mykolaiv, dozens of projects have been put on hold, ranging from energy independence to security projects. Ivona Kostyna, co-founder of Veteran Hub, posted on Facebook that the organization was forced to close the Veterans Support Line and the Hub in Vinnytsia. She called on businesses to support the project.
Stopping funding for USAID projects: what are the positive aspects of the decision?
Member of Parliament and economist Marian Zablotskyi called for the termination of funding for USAID projects.
According to him, there are currently 112 active USAID projects in Ukraine worth $7 billion. However, they have a number of drawbacks. First, according to the politician, they all boil down to endless roundtables and conferences. Secondly, most of these funds remain in the United States as the net profit of private companies implementing these grants.
“Here’s the first vivid example: $297 million for communications for three years. Who from the world of culture knows that we have been allocated the amount of money for filming that would make it possible to make Avatar 3? The Russians allocate exactly the same amount from the state budget for their cinema, and you know that they do not skimp on propaganda,” Zablotsky wrote.
In particular, $297 million was allocated for communications over three years for the following:
- Support for the creation of a YouTube talk show called “Ebout.”
- Support for the music band TVORCHI in creating a song and performing at concerts in selected cities of Ukraine.
- The Zminy NGO, also known as Don’t Take Fake (DTF), is a prominent influencer and supporter of the electronic music scene with a track record of organizing major cultural events, including the first Mirage Camp for electronic musicians. DTF will host an electronic music residency that will bring together creative people to network, collaborate and create new products.
- Support for the NGO CUKR in organizing a series of cultural events during the summer season in the Dvirik na Kuznechnoi The mural in the Dvirik na Kuznechnoi was created.
- Support for Film UA in the production of a documentary film called Dough. Research, introductory meetings with the team of TV series creators, a trip to Vienna.
- Support for Ukrainian producer Tetiana Postavna and media personality Volodymyr Dantes in creating a reality show about the restoration of cultural spaces in frontline settlements and recently liberated areas.
- Release of the first episode of the CollegeCheck project.
- Release of the second season of the project “Ukrainian Palaces. Golden Age” project.
