The United States froze all foreign aid for several countries, including Ukraine on Friday, but Israel and Turkey are exempt.
An internal directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, issued shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, emphasized an “America First” approach to foreign aid, AFP reported.
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“No new fund will be obligated to make new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved,” said the internal memo obtained by AFP.
According to the memo, the exceptions were only for emergency food and military funding for Israel and Egypt.
This comprehensive directive impacts various categories of aid, including development and military support, notably affecting Ukraine, which received substantial arms funding under the previous Biden administration during its defense against Russian forces.
The suspension also cuts off U.S. funding for PEPFAR, the HIV/AIDS program providing antiretroviral treatments in developing countries, particularly across Africa.
Pepfar, established during George W Bush’s presidency in 2003, has saved an estimated 26 million lives and has previously maintained broad bipartisan support in Washington.
The directive specifically excludes military aid to Israel, whose support for U.S. weapons has increased since the Gaza conflict, and Egypt, the recipient of substantial U.S. defense funding since its 1979 peace deal with Israel.
Rubio included provisions for contributions to U.S. emergency services, which supported crisis-hit regions including Sudan and Syria.
Democratic lawmakers noted that PEPFAR supports more than 20 million people in need of medication, while U.S.-funded anti-malaria initiatives help 63 million people.
