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Washington, USA – Senior officials at the US State Department are preparing a list of additional exemptions for Ukraine from the foreign aid freeze. This may allow Kyiv to access certain economic and security support that is currently blocked. This was reported by Politico, citing an official document and sources in the US government.
What do we know about the new exceptions?
These exemptions reportedly go beyond the scope of previously authorised “vital” assistance programmes such as mine action and counter-narcotics by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, it remains to be seen whether Ukraine will actually be able to receive additional funding even if these exceptions are approved.
Political overtones: disagreements in the Trump team
The publication notes that discussions about the new exemptions demonstrate the internal contradictions in the Donald Trump administration’s policy towards Ukraine.
The State Department did not officially confirm the granting of additional exemptions, only stating:
“Programmes that serve US interests will continue. Programmes that do not serve the national interest will not.”
This shows the Trump administration’s selective approach to supporting Kyiv.
Which applications can get an exception?
According to Politico, the exemptions under discussion cover the following areas:
- Economic support
- Mine clearance
- Drug control
- Healthcare programmes
- Financing democratic institutions and civil society
However, no exemptions will be granted for programmes that promote diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI).
What’s next?
Yuri Kim, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, has been assigned to work on the list of exceptions. His task is to agree on a list of programmes that could potentially be unfrozen.
While there is no guarantee that additional exemptions will be approved, the very fact that such discussions are taking place indicates a possible change in the US attitude to assistance to Ukraine.
The Trump administration’s decision on funding for Kyiv remains unpredictable. If the exemptions are approved, this could partially mitigate the impact of the aid freeze. However, the absence of a unified position in Washington shows that Ukraine remains an object of political bargaining in the international arena.
