AFP
- Trump halts virtually all of Washington’s foreign aid
- Conflict shows no signs of de-escalating
- Trump’s promise of ending war falls flat
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said that multiple humanitarian projects had suspended operations due to the United States (US) freeze on foreign aid, and that Kyiv would replace funding where possible.
US President Donald Trump’s new administration ordered a halt to virtually all of Washington’s foreign aid last week, cutting financing to many programmes in Ukraine, including organisations supporting veterans and local media.
“Today I instructed government officials to report on those US support programmes that are currently suspended. These are humanitarian programmes,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
Priority items
“There are many projects. We will determine which of them are critical and need solutions now. We can provide part of this funding through our public finances,” the Ukrainian leader added.
“We will definitely support the priority items, those that concern Ukrainian children, our veterans, and programmes to protect our infrastructure.”
There are many projects. We will determine which of them are critical and need solutions now. We can provide part of this funding through our public finances.” – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukraine has become extremely dependent on foreign aid for humanitarian work since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, with the United States providing billions of dollars of support.
“Talks possible”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, but ruled out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he called “illegitimate”.
The Ukrainian leader responded by saying that Putin was “afraid” of negotiations and was using “cynical tricks” to prolong the nearly three-year conflict.
US President Donald Trump has put pressure on both sides to end the fighting since coming into office on January 20, threatening tougher sanctions on Russia while claiming that Zelensky is ready to negotiate a “deal”.
“If (Zelensky) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part,” Putin said, calling the Ukrainian leader “illegitimate” because his presidential term expired during martial law.
If (Zelensky) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part.” – Russian President Putin
“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the negotiations there… Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests,” he added.
Zelensky said that there was a chance to achieve “real peace” but that the Kremlin chief was frustrating efforts to stop the fighting.
“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war. Every move he makes and all his cynical tricks are aimed at making the war endless.
In 2014, Russia started a hybrid war against…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 28, 2025
Kyiv has warned against it being excluded from any peace talks between Russia and the US, accusing Putin of wanting to “manipulate” Trump.
Putin also claimed the fighting would end in two months or less if the West cut its support to Kyiv.
“They will not exist for a month if the money and, in a broad sense, the bullets run out. Everything would be over in a month and a half or two,” Putin said in comments to a state TV reporter.
No signs of de-escalation
The conflict has shown no signs of de-escalating despite Trump’s promise to enact a quick ceasefire once in office.
Russia’s army said Tuesday that its forces had captured a large village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, the latest territorial gain for Moscow’s advancing troops.
The Russian defence ministry said its forces had “liberated” the village of Dvorichna, which had a pre-conflict population of more than 3,000.
The conflict has shown no signs of de-escalating despite Trump’s promise to enact a quick ceasefire.