Diplomats urge Rubio to remove Ukraine from the U.S. aid halt order, according to the Financial Times.

American diplomats are urging U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio to make an exception for Ukraine in the foreign aid suspension order. Aid programs for other countries have been frozen for 90 days.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Financial Times.

The publication refers to high-ranking officials from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the State Department. It is noted that Rubio's decision affects funding for social infrastructure and economic development in Ukraine through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to Financial Times, USAID in Ukraine has been ordered to "immediately halt all current contracts and tasks." Diplomats have appealed to the U.S. Secretary of State to make an exception for Ukraine and emphasized its importance for U.S. national security.

"We do not yet know whether this request will be approved - either fully or partially - but positive signals are coming from Washington," reads an email sent to USAID staff in Ukraine on Saturday, January 25.

The publication adds that the USAID agency in Ukraine has temporarily suspended the issuance of stop-work orders while the request for an exception is being considered.

Officials and NGO staff in Ukraine are warning that without Rubio's approval, programs supporting schools and hospitals, as well as aid for the development of economic and energy infrastructure, are at risk of being disrupted.

Trump froze foreign aid

Recall that after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order to temporarily suspend all foreign aid programs for 90 days. The programs will be reviewed to determine if they align with his political objectives.

The Pentagon assures that this does not affect military aid to Ukraine.

Additionally, the U.S. State Department issued an order freezing existing international aid and suspending new assistance. Thus, some humanitarian aid for Ukraine has been frozen.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that military aid to Ukraine from the U.S. will not be suspended.