The Trump administration has imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign aid to nearly all countries, with the notable exceptions of Israel and Egypt. This decision, outlined in a State Department memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, halts all new foreign assistance obligations pending a comprehensive review of US commitments.
The exemptions for Israel and Egypt are significant, given their strategic importance to US foreign policy in the Middle East.
Israel receives approximately $3.3 billion annually in US military aid, while Egypt benefits from about $1.3 billion.
Ukraine, however, has been excluded from the exemptions, despite its ongoing conflict with Russia.
This move follows Trump’s efforts to broker “denuclearization” talks with Russia, as President Putin signals willingness to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
The freeze on foreign aid has sparked concerns about the potential disruptions to US-funded programs worldwide, including critical aid projects in Ukraine.
Critics argue that the move undermines US credibility as a global leader in foreign aid and may force international partners to seek funding from competitors like China and Russia.
