You won’t believe this, but the Trump administration has just pulled the plug on military aid to Ukraine for 90 days!
Secretary of State Marco Rubio dropped a bombshell on Friday, issuing guidance that temporarily halts the spending on most foreign aid for the next three months. However, military funding for Egypt and Israel remains untouched.
This decision has left many deep state officials in the State Department utterly shocked. One official, speaking to Politico, exclaimed, “State just totally went nuclear on foreign assistance.”
Rubio’s new directive, which goes into effect immediately, mandates that all department staff issue “stop-work orders” for nearly all ongoing foreign assistance projects. This move seems to escalate beyond the scope of President Trump’s earlier executive order, which was meant for a 90-day review but left ambiguity about existing funds.
According to sources familiar with the guidance, this means no more disbursements for programs already greenlit by the U.S. government. This stark policy shift contrasts sharply with the previous years under the Biden administration, which saw nearly $200 billion funneled into Ukraine for aid and military support.
Remember last September when Biden announced a staggering $8 billion in military aid during Zelensky’s visit to Washington? That was part of a broader aid package that has come under scrutiny as Americans grapple with economic challenges, inflation spikes, and a border crisis.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Congress has authorized nearly $175 billion in aid for Ukraine. The Council on Foreign Relations notes that this aid has been spread across multiple bills, with the most recent in April 2024, aiding not only military efforts but also supporting refugees, law enforcement, and media in Ukraine. However, it’s the military aspect that has seen the lion’s share of the funds.
Interestingly, Ukraine isn’t just relying on the U.S.; dozens of other nations, including key NATO and EU members, are also chipping in with substantial aid packages.
So, if you’re interested in how U.S. foreign policy is shaping up under Trump’s administration, keep an eye on this developing story.
Sources: Politico, Council on Foreign Relations
