Including Ukraine and Taiwan: US State Department suspends foreign aid programs for 90 days.
The US State Department unexpectedly suspended most foreign aid programs for 90 days. Aid programs for Israel and Egypt remain unchanged.
According to Politico, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a directive to all diplomatic missions asking them to cease operations under existing foreign aid programs. These changes take effect immediately.
The new rules are an extension of the executive order by President Donald Trump, which suspended the issuance of new foreign aid grants for 90 days. It was unclear whether the president's order affected already allocated funds and aid for Ukraine.
According to a document obtained by Politico, the suspension means that the allocation of funds will be halted even for approved US programs. Exceptions are made for military funding programs for Egypt and Israel, emergency food aid, and 'legitimate expenditures made before the issuance of the directive.'
The pause in foreign aid programs affects key allies, including Ukraine, Jordan, and Taiwan. The State Department is required to prepare a report within 85 days of the issuance of the directive, after which Rubio will provide Trump with recommendations on whether to extend or terminate the programs.
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