Pentagon: Trump's 90-day aid freeze excludes Ukraine assistance
U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order pausing international assistance for 90 days does not affect military aid to Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Service of Voice of America, citing Pentagon information.
"Security assistance to Ukraine is not subject to the recent executive order on foreign aid, as it pertains only to development programs, not military support," the U.S. Department of Defense stated.
This ensures the continuation of contracts for weapons manufacturing under the USAI program and the delivery of arms from Pentagon reserves via the PDA program, both initiated by President Joe Biden.
Whether Trump’s order could impact non-military aid to Ukraine, such as economic or humanitarian support, is still unknown. The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has not provided clarification, referring only to the executive order text, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- On January 21, Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid, stating that aid to other countries often contradicts American values.
- On January 23, at the Davos Forum, he announced plans to urge NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.