Trump freezes aid to foreign states how is Kosovo affected by this decision?

The United States has frozen all foreign aid to countries worldwide for 90 days, including Ukraine, except for Israel and Egypt.

An internal directive by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presented shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration, highlighted a “America First” approach to overseas assistance.

According to her, exceptions were meant only for food emergencies and military financing of Israel and Egypt.

And at no time specifically mentions other countries that receive American military funding like Ukraine or Taiwan, writes CNNHe's following in on Telegrafie.

But this comprehensive directive affects different categories of assistance, including military development and support, especially Ukraine, which had received considerable weapons funds under previous Biden administration.

Suspensation also stops US funds for PEPFAR, HIV/ AIDS that offers anti-retroviral treatments in developing countries, especially throughout Africa.

PEPFAR, founded during George W Bush's presidency in 2003, has preserved approximately 26 million lives and previously maintained extensive two-party support in Washington.

The directive specifically does not affect military assistance for Israel, whose support has increased since the Gaza conflict, and for Egypt, a beneficiary of significant US defence funds since its 1979 peace agreement with Israel.

It becomes known that Rubio included provisions for US food aid contributions that have supported crisis-affected regions, including Sudan and Syria.

Democrat lawmakers stressed that PEPFAR supports over 20 million individuals who need treatment, while anti-malarial initiatives funded by the US aid 63 million people.

Otherwise, American international aid programmes apply mainly through the American Agency for International Development, USAID.

USAID has reportedly invested more than $1 billion in Kosovo's development since 1999.

And in October of last year, USAID marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment in Kosovo, where it has developed programmes for fighting corruption, rule of law and good governance, the fight against deinformation and the lack of independent media, strengthening civil society and democracy, economic development and attracting foreign investment.

Radio Free Europe lists a host of activities that WAID is currently funding in Kosovo. These include:

Over $12m assistance in supporting legislative reforms and establishing the Commercial Court;

The 15 million-dollar aid to improve the inclusion and accountability of government;

Over $13m to address the challenges of corruption and good governance in municipalities;

The nearly $12m assistance to improve the judiciary's independence and prioritisation of citizens' needs during judicial processes;

Over $16 million to promote good competition in domestic and international markets;

Over $13 million in citizen participation in local governance;

The nearly $12m assistance to increase institutional capacity for energy market development.

In August 2024, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani signed a grant with UAID, which provided additional assistance to Kosovo institutions worth $35m.

The grant was part of the previously reached deal worth about $146 million, aimed at providing better services to citizens, increasing the responsibility of institutions, and more efficient management.